The world series of poker (WSOP) is the highlight of the poker world. The first ever WSOP tournament took place in 1970 at Binion's, and was won by poker legend Johnny Moss (pictured). At that time the event was by invitation only, whereas Benny Binion invited six of best known poker players to participate in the event, at his Horseshoe Casino. Since then the annual WSOP event has seen some changes in its structure as well as gaining a massive increase in popularity. Poker players from around the globe gather each year at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas to compete for the chance to be crowned the World Series of Poker Champion, and of course to win the much coveted prize of the WSOP bracelet.

Year on year poker has escalated in international popularity, and much of this increased popularity could be attributed to the WSOP. For example, in the 2008 World Series of Poker which took stage in the U.S. over 118 countries were represented throughout the 55 events, with an astounding 72 countries represented during the main event. One could attribute the international growth to players such as Joseph Hachem who came from abroad and put himself in the global spotlight . When Hachem won in 2005, a poker boom was ignited in Australia, raising the profile of the sport in that county and resulting in vastly increased poker action, both live and online. Likewise, the performance of Ivan Demidov from Moscow, Russia lit the fuse for an explosion of poker play activity amongst russians. Demidov was one of the original 'November Nine', having made the final table of the WSOP Main Event in 2008. He also reached the final table of the World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) Main Event (2008) in London, finishing in third place. In doing so, he became the only player in history to reach the final table of both Main Events.

Women poker players have also increased in both poker online and in land poker rooms, as well as the WSOP. Much of this is likely due to Barbara Enright from U.S. who in 1986, won her first bracelet at the World Series of Poker Women's 7-Card Stud event, in which she pocketed $16,400. She was the first woman to win two gold bracelets when she won the same event again in 1994.  She finished in the money in the Pot Limit Holdem event at the 1195 WSOP, and then less than two weeks later she became the only woman to get to the final table in the Main Event, where she finished in 5th place.

The WSOP is sure to continue for many years to come. You can follow the latest event from 26 May to 15 July 2009, which is the 40th annual event of the World Series of Poker. It is set to run at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino. This will no doubt prove to be yet another exciting and unpredictable poker tournament featuring 57 bracelet events, covering over 50 days of exiting poker action.