The idea of a World Series of Poker began in 1969 with an event called the Texas Gambling Reunion. The

first tournament starts in 1970 with six of the best poker players to the Horseshoe Casino. At the moment WSOP is official poker tournament, held annualy in Las Vegas.The popularity of World Series of Poker come twelve years later in 1982 with 52 participants. Participation peaked in 2006, with 8,773 people participating in the Main Event alone.

Currently, the series culminates with the $10,000 no-limit hold'em "Main Event", which since 2004 has attracted entrants numbering in the thousands. The victor receives a multi-million prize. The winner of the World Series of Poker Main Event is considered to be the World Champion of Poker.

Since 2005, the WSOP has been sponsored by Harrah`s Entertainment.

The most popular event of World Series of Poker is called Main Event. It has been has been the $10,000 buy-in no-limit Texas Hold 'Em (TXHE) tournament since 1972. Winners of the event not only get the largest prize of the tournament and a gold bracelet, but additionally their picture is placed into the Gallery of Champions at Binions. With the exception of winners of the World Series Of Poker Main Event who automatically win a spot in the Main Event, all remaining players must supply the $10,000 buy-in in order to participate.

Other prize given by WSOP since 2004, is a Player of the Year Award. It has been given to the player with the most points accumulated throughout the World Series.

Some memorable moments during the main events including:

In 1982 Jack Straus win after discovering he had one $500 chip left when he thought he was out of the tournament;

The end of the 1988 main event was featured in the movie Rounders;

In 2007, the winner Jerry Yang had only been playing poker for two years prior to his victory. He won his seat at a $225 satellite tournament at Pechanga Resort & Casino;