WSOP ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The World Series of Poker - Notable Accomplishments

World Series of Poker (WSOP)

♠ Most WSOP Bracelets (wins): Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, and Phil Hellmuth (10 each)

Going into the 2005 World Series of Poker, 3 poker greats were tied at 9 bracelets each: Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, and Phil Hellmuth. Many fans don't realize that there are numerous events every year at the WSOP that give out bracelets to the winners, so this doesn't mean 9 championships. Johnny Chan won a bracelet early for Pot-Limit Hold'em in the 2005 WSOP and took the lead with 10 bracelets. It only lasted a few days until Doyle Brunson also won his 10th in Shorthanded No-Limit Hold'em. Going into 2006, "Texas Dolly" and "The Orient Express" remained tied with 10 bracelets each. Phil Hellmuth, entering many events in 2006, had strong finishes and finally captured his 10th bracelet in No-Limit Hold'em to tie Brunson and Chan. If poker historians are giving his accomplishment attention, you can imagine what The Brat had to say for himself after the victory.

♠ Most WSOP Championship Wins: Stu Ungar and Johnny Moss (3 each)

Troubled in his personal life, Stu Ungar was believed by many to be the best No-Limit Hold'em player ever. In his prime, he had an uncanny ability to read his opponents, put on the right amount of aggression, and recall past hands. After winning back-to-back Main Events in both 1980 and '81, drugs and other addictions took him away from the limelight of poker for 16 years. Making a seemingly heroic comeback in 1997, "The Kid" took home the $1,000,000 grand prize and stood on top of the poker world once again. Unfortunately, addictions once again consumed Ungar and he died in 1998 shortly after failing to even attempt to defend his title. Johnny Moss also took half of the first 6 WSOPs beginning in 1970 and earned less than $200,000 for the combined wins.

♠ Back-to-Back Championship Wins: Johnny Moss, Doyle Brunson, Stu Ungar, and Johnny Chan

There have been 3 players to date who've won back-to-back WSOP Championship Events. Doyle Brunson did in in 1976-77, Stu Ungar in 1980-81, Johnny Chan in 1987-88, and Johnny Moss in the inaugural events in 1970-71.

♠ Most Money Won: Jamie Gold ($12,000,000) and Joseph Hachem ($7,500,000)

Were you expecting anyone else? Jamie Gold, while often criticized for his rash demeanor and legal woes, did beat out over 8,800 opponents in the summer of 2006 to take home a $12,000,000 prize. Also propelled by a field of over 5,600 entrants in 2005, the 2005 Main Event winner stood to make $7,500,000 for the win. After outlasting the field and finally beating out happy-go-lucky amateur Steve Dannenmann for the title, Australian mortgage broker Joseph Hachem got the sugar passed to him. Since his Main Event win, Hachem has actually made a strong showing at other big live tournaments on the circuit including a WPT title and near-wins in a few WSOP events.

♠ Most Impressive WSOP Feats: Dan Harrington and Greg Raymer

With online poker exploding in popularity, 2003 was the breakout year for the World Series of Poker. It featured a then-record field of over 800 opponents with Chris Moneymaker eventually raking in the $2.5 million prize. Dan Harrington, a seasoned veteran who won the 1995 Main Event, managed to work his way to the final table of this huge tournament. However, what many consider to be one of the best showings in the history of the WSOP, Harrington beat out an even larger field of over 2,000 in 2004 to again return to the final table! With the insane style of thousands of internet newcomers waiting to put on the bad beats, it really was an impressive feat for tight-aggressive Dan Harrington. Perhaps even more astonishing was Greg Raymer's run in 2004-05 when he came a bad beat shy of possibly repeating as Main Event champion. Prior to a suck out flush draw in 2005's Main Event, Raymer survived to the final 3 tables and had enough chips to realistically make a run at the title. Considering the he beat over 2,500 players in 2004 and over 5,500 in 2005, his consistency was simply astonishing.

♠ Youngest Player to Win a WSOP Main Event Title: Phil Hellmuth in 1989

Phil Hellmuth was 24 when he won the WSOP Main Event in 1989. Since then, he's gone on to rack up 10 bracelets total and become one of the best poker tournament players in the world. Daniel Negreanu is actually the youngest player to win any bracelet, doing so at age 23. Signing on to book deals and lending his name to strategy DVDs, Phil Hellmuth is one of the most advertised and recognizable names/faces in poker helped by his outspoken style of complaining when he suffers a bad beat. Many players and fans alike have nicknamed him "The Poker Brat". Name calling aside, his 10 bracelets ties him with all-time greats Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan for most WSOP wins.

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