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"Founding
Fathers"
By Darci Faulkner
By Darci Faulkner
In this mixed media painting the artist, Darci Faulkner, captures her impression
of the "Larger than Life" characters responsible for the formation of tournament
poker. For many years Benny Binion arranged heads-up matches between high-stakes
players. In 1970 Binion invited six high-rollers he knew to play in a tournament.
They would compete for cash at the table, after which they would vote on
a winner. Johnny Moss was voted champion by his younger competition and
received a small trophy. The next year, a freeze-out format with a $10,000
buy-in was introduced, and the World Series of
Poker was born. Johnny Moss won the following year and again in 1974. Amarillo
Slim Preston won the 1972 World Series of Poker main event. He was inducted
into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1992. Walter Clyde "Puggy"
Pearson
won in 1973. He got his nickname "Puggy" from a childhood accident that left
him with a disfigured nose at the age of 12. Pearson was inducted into the
Poker Hall of Fame in 1987 at the age of 58. Doyle "Texas Dolly" Brunson was
the first player to earn $1 million in poker tournaments, Brunson has won
ten World Series of Poker bracelets throughout his career. He is also one
of only four players to have won consecutive main events at the World Series
of Poker, in 1976 and 1977. Brian "Sailor" Roberts won the 1975 World Series
of Poker main event, gaining his second WSOP bracelet and $210,000. Roberts
earned his nickname of "Sailor" for having served in the United States Navy
during the Korean War.
