Poker: 1987 World Series of Poker

The World Series of Poker is an exciting event that takes place year in and year out. Poker is a game of luck to some extent, but in events like the World Series of Poker people from around the world come to show how much skill is really involved in the game. The World Series of Poker is the largest poker event in the world and has had much popularity over the years. The 1987 World Series of Poker was an excellent one.

The 1987 World Series of Poker took place at Binion's Horseshoe just like the other events that have happened over the years. This year's event was especially exciting as there were more than 150 entrants to the main event. The main event requires a 10 thousand dollar entry fee. These 152 players gave their 10 thousand dollars in order to contribute to the prize money of 1.52 million dollars. This amount would be split amongst the top finishers. The winner of the entire tournament would be given a prize of six hundred and twenty five thousand dollars.

The World Series of Poker was going through a transitional stage at this point. In years past the tournament was dominated by former poker legends. In the years leading up to 1987 the tournament was changing. Many players that weren't recognized on the big stage were stepping in and winning the tournament. This was good for the game in that it attracted more people. People felt like if that guy could win the championship that maybe they could win too.

1987 was a different year though and it was time for the world's best players to step in and duke it out. There were several solid players left on the board including Johnny Chan. Chan had been coming up the ranks for years. He was a solid player that had been playing since he was young. He is rumored to have started making trips to Las Vegas when he was only 16 years old in order to work his way up the ladder. He definitely had hard times along the way, but he was poised to show what he was made of in 1987.

He was one of three players left. He was facing off against Bob Ciaffone and Frank Henderson. These players were both extremely experience d players and great foes for Chan. Chan was playing an aggressive style and trying to make his move to take over these last two foes.

He managed to oust Ciaffone and took a ton of chips. He would have a huge advantage going into the final matchup against Henderson. Henderson fought hard and he would not go down easily. Despite his massive deficit he fought until it looked like he might come back into the game.

Unfortunately for Henderson, Chan wasn't going to allow him back into this one. Chan went on with strong play and managed to secure the 1987 World Series of Poker title. This would make him the big winner of the 1987 event and prize money.