|
1988 World Series of Poker |
1988 World Series of PokerA summary of 1988 world series of poker.
No poker player's career could ever be made popular with the absence of a World Series of Poker title. The WSOP, the most prestigious tournament in the poker scene, is the catalyst that elevates any player's stature from being a mere player to a poker great. That is why earning at least one WSOP title in an entire lifetime is what poker professionals strive to achieve.
A native of China, Johnny Chan never had problems with that. Why? Because he was able to secure himself a WSOP title not only once but twice and back-to-back -- in the 1987 and 1988 tournaments, respectively. As a result, he was included in the league of poker greats who carry the distinction of winning the WSOP championship more than once. Chan's 1988 win is a memorable event written in many poker history books because of the breaks in that game that eventually favored the skilled Chinese. Initially, Chan lost the biggest pot ever recorded, but in the end, he went home with the major cash prize amounting to $700,000.
The 1988 event is also somewhat a character-defying moment for Chan because prior to the event, critics did not rest calling him a one-time thing after winning the previous year's title. When he came home emerging as the major winner of the 1988 tournament, the critics lips were sealed, and all that was left was pure admiration and respect. Chan clearly showed that he had the makings of a true champion. The Orient Express, a name he is frequently called at the poker table, is an intimidating persona that was popularly known not only for his Asian roots but also for always carrying an orange whenever he plays.
The 1988 WSOP tournament, which brought about Chan's inimitable credibility at the poker world, was again held at the Binions Horseshoe in Las Vegas. It has always been the event's home since Benny Binion adapted the tournament in 1970 after an invitational inauguration by Tom Moore held the year before. Just like what happened in more recent years, crowds continued to pour as the WSOP got a satellite makeover. The four-day tournament followed 167 players who entered the Main Event with $10,000 cash at hand for their chance to play. The numbers diminished as the days went by with 63 coming home on the initial day. On the second day, the remaining 104 swiftly became 36, and that 36 became five with Chan besting the skills of other players, the likes of fellow WSOP champion Jack Keller who won the title in 1984. On the final judgment day, Chan found himself face-to-face with New York native Erik Seidel, ending up with the title after losing the biggest hand amounting to $1,204,000. This particular instance is what makes the 1988 WSOP something that poker historians would clearly remember. It was the first, and probably the only time, a player was able to rescue himself in such dramatic fashion. It is a feat that only Chan and the 1988 event hold.
|
