It has been held every year since 1970 (when it had seven entrants), and has grown in popularity since, the year 2000 series having 4780 entrants in various events.

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The World Series of Poker series consists of many poker game events, each of which awards the winner a gold bracelet signifying the world championship of that particular poker game event.  The 2001 series had 25 events held from April 20 to May 18.  The final event of the poker tournament series, widely considered the world championship of the game of poker, is the no-limit Texas hold 'em championship, a four-day event.  The winner of this event also has his picture installed in the Gallery of Champions at Binion's.

History

Until 2001, the leading money winner in World Series of Poker history was T. J. Cloutier, who finished in the money in 33 events, including four gold bracelets in various poker events, a fifth-place, a third-place, and two second-place finishes in the main event, but who has never won the "big dance."  In 2001, Phil Hellmuth's 7th bracelet and 5th place finish in the final event moved him ahead of Cloutier.

Other historical poker tournament highlights include Jack Strauss's win, which was a comeback after having lost all but one chip of his stake early in the poker tournament, and Stu Ungar's third win 17 years after his repeat, having spent many of the intervening years out of poker competition and addicted to cocaine.

Billy Baxter dominated the deuce-to-seven draw poker event for many years, winning five bracelets and twice finishing second.  He has a sixth bracelet in ace-to-five draw.

Poker tournament players who have won bracelets in a draw poker event, a stud poker game, and a community card poker game are Mickey Appleman, Bobby Baldwin, Doyle Brunson (who has a total of eight bracelets in six different events, and a second place finish in 13-card Chinese poker), Johnny Chan, Johnny Moss, and Stu Ungar.

Word Series of Poker Champions

These are the winners of the World Series of Poker final championship event, which is now no-limit Texas hold 'em.