WSOP Main Event Champion = Poker Ambassador

The 2012 World Series of Poker (WSOP) October Nine is set. At the end of this month, one of these nine players will fulfill the ultimate dream of every poker player: winning the WSOP main event.

Massachusetts native Jesse Silvia leads this primarily American final table as the chip leader (Hungary’s Andras Koroknai is the lone international representative), while Colorado’s own Jeremy Ausmus is the short stack. However, since the final table bubble was only 15 hands, Ausmus is well within striking distance with over 32 big blinds. Therefore, this year’s final table is truly up for grabs and is destined to be electrifying.

Whoever does win the 2012 WSOP main event will hold the title for an entire year. However, winning the WSOP main event does not just give you the fame and fortune. I firmly believe that with winning the most coveted gold bracelet in poker also comes a responsibility to represent the game and to help increase poker’s popularity and exposure throughout the world.

Over the past four decades, some players have embraced this ideology and have become true poker ambassadors. Looking back, here are two main event champions from each of the following decades that helped take poker to another level.
1970’s:

Amarillo Slim (1972):

Thomas Austin Preston Jr, better known to the world as Amarillo Slim, was the first true ambassador of poker. After capturing the 1972 WSOP main event, the four-time WSOP bracelet winner was thrust into the public spotlight. Always wearing his signature cowboy hat, Amarillo Slim epitomized the old school gambler with his signature Texas drawl and desire to bet on anything. Also, a legendary raconteur, Slim made an astonishing eleven “Tonight Show” appearances, familiarizing the general public with poker.

To help expand tournament poker, the poker Hall of Famer (inducted in 1992) helped create Amarillo Slim’s Super Bowl of Poker. Targeted for the pro players, this tournament, held from 1979 to 1991, was the second most prestigious event of the year, only behind the WSOP.

After facing serious legal issues in the early 2000’s, Slim began shying away from the cameras. Nevertheless, he was still regarded as one of the true legends of the game up until his death from colon cancer this past April.

Doyle Brunson (1976, 1977):

Doyle Brunson is known to the world as the Godfather of Poker. He began playing poker as a member of the old school poker traveling gang, which included the likes of Amarillo Slim. Today, he owns ten WSOP bracelets and is a member of the poker Hall of Fame (inducted in 1988).

A couple of years after becoming the second player to win back-to-back WSOP main events (Johnny Moss was the first), Brunson made one of the biggest contributions to the world of poker. In 1979, Brunson complied a poker strategy book, assisted by the likes of fellow Hall of Famers, Chip Reese and Bobby Baldwin. Super System quickly became the bible of poker and was so informative, many poker pros were upset that these secrets were divulged to the general public. Nevertheless, the book helped spread poker’s popularity and was even updated in 2004.

In the end, the ten-time bracelet winner has become an iconic figure in the world of poker. Amazingly, he still plays in some of the biggest games in the world and gladly takes money from players almost 60 years younger than he.
1980’s:

Johnny Chan (1987, 1988):

In the 1980’s, the “Orient Express” dominated the game with his extremely aggressive style, well before this style was commonplace. Additionally, his personal style and focused demeanor at the tables made poker cool to the masses. Winner of ten WSOP bracelets, Chan also became immortalized in the movie, Rounders, allowing a new generation of poker players to recognize and respect this champion.

In 1987 and 1988, Chan won back-to-back WSOP main events. In 1989, he was heads-up for an unprecedented third title in a row, but lost to…

Phil Hellmuth (1989):

“The Poker Brat” introduced himself to the poker world in 1989 by becoming the youngest WSOP main event champion in the history of poker (a record that stood until 2008). Today, Hellmuth owns 12 WSOP bracelets with his latest coming this past summer. His brash, bold yet honest and passionate style has made him a fan favorite. Additionally, his memorable quotes and WSOP entrances have made him a poker icon.
In addition to his playing accolades, Hellmuth has made numerous contributions to the poker world off the felt, primarily in the pursuit of building the successful Phil Hellmuth brand. These items have included poker books, DVDs, hats, clothing line, WSOP academy teaching, phone apps and much more.

1990’s:

Dan Harrington (1995):

The Cambridge, Massachusetts native has had tremendous success on the felt, winning two WSOP bracelets and making the main event final table four times. Many consider Harrington’s making the WSOP main event final tables in consecutive years, 2003 and 2004, one of the greatest accomplishments in poker.

Off the felt, his primary contribution is a book series he co-authored with Bill Robertie, which is now the modern bible of poker, Harrington on Hold’em. This series changed the way poker players think and speak about poker, adding phrases such as “M” into the poker lexicon.

Stu Ungar (1981, 1982, 1997):

Ungar is only the second player in history to win three WSOP main events (Johnny Moss is the other), while winning two in consecutive years (1981 and 1982). At the time, he became the youngest main event champion. Along with his boyish looks, Ungar was nicknamed “The Kid.”

Also recognized as one of the greatest gin rummy players ever, the five-time WSOP bracelet winner had an uncanny ability to read his opponent’s cards. With this talent, he utilized an aggressive style that put him on top of the poker world.
However, drugs and gambling were his primary vices, which took a huge toll on his health. Miraculously, Ungar was able to capture another WSOP main event in 1997, which was televised on ESPN. The media and the public latched onto this return, dubbing him “The Comeback Kid.” Many people hoped that this win and the love of his daughter would allow Ungar to emerged from a life of drugs and despair. Unfortunately, this was not the case as he passed away the following year from years of drug abuse.

Posthumously, numerous books and movies recounted the tragic story of one of the greatest poker players to ever live.

2000’s:

Chris Moneymaker (2003):

The former accountant from Tennessee who singlehandedly triggered a poker revolution aptly named “The Moneymaker Effect.” Enough said!

Joe Hachem (2005):

This debonair former chiropractor from Australia helped influence the expansion of poker into the Asia Pacific region. After winning the 2005 WSOP main event, poker in Australia and Asia has boomed over the past seven years. Events such as the Aussie Millions, the more recent WSOP Asia-Pacific (beginning in 2013), and the asian poker tours would never have existed without this champion. The ambassador for Crown Casino in Melbourne, Hachem is still today one of the most well liked and recognized champions of the modern era of poker.

2010’s:

The jury is still out with the recent champions; however, I believe that Jonathan Duhamel has represented poker extremely well. Overcoming his recent home attack, Duhamel began 2012 as the hottest player in poker and has continued to represent poker even after relinquishing his title in 2011.

With the final table rapidly approaching us, I wish the October Nine the best of luck. In the end, whoever comes out on top, I hope that they represent the poker world proudly and follow in the footsteps of these former WSOP main event champions. ♠

Bernard Lee is the co-host of ESPN Inside Deal, weekly poker columnist for the Boston Herald, ESPN.com, author of “The Final Table, Volume I and II” and radio host of “The Bernard Lee Poker Show,” which can be found on RoundersRadio.com or via podcast on iTunes. Follow Bernard Lee on Twitter: @BernardLeePoker or visit him at www.BernardLeePoker.com.