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In 1969, an event called the Texas Gambling Reunion was held in Reno. It was hosted by Tom Moore, a San Antonio, Texas native. The event featured many well-known Texas gamblers. They included Crandell Addington, who won the event, as well as Doyle Brunson and Amarillo Slim. It was a great show of skill by some Texas gambling greats and it also caught the attention of many Las Vegas gamblers.
The next year, the first WSOP event was held at Binion's Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas. Benny Binion, the casino owner, had been impressed by the Texas Gambling Reunion and decided to create his own event based on it.
The winner of the 1970 WSOP was Johnny Moss. His peers declared him the best overall player, after they all competed in a series of cash games. Those games included 5 card and 7 Card Stud, Deuce to Seven Lowball Draw, Razz and, of course, Texas Holdem. The following year, freeze-out Texas Holdem was the main event of the WSOP.
While Mr. Moss won a silver cup for his efforts in 1970, the prizes have since evolved, as have the games played. Different years have featured all sorts of games, including Chinese poker, and H.O.R.S.E. Also, these days, WSOP event winners get prize money, as well as commemorative bracelets.