Famous Poker players
Johnny Moss
Johnny Moss grew up in Odessa, Texas where he learned how to gamble as a young boy. In 1949 Moss once played with Nick the Greek in a five month long poker marathon set up by Benny Binion, winning anywhere from $2 million to $4 million. At the end of the marathon, down millions of dollars, Nick the Greek uttered what has become one of the most famous poker quotes ever, "Mr. Moss, I have to let you go."
Because of people like Nick the Greek, Binion and Moss, poker became popular and eventually a World Series of Poker was organized. Moss won the 1970, 1971, and 1974 World Series of Poker main events, tying him with Stu Ungar for the most WSOP main event titles. For the 1970 event, Moss was actually elected the champion by his peers and only received a silver cup as his prize. He played at every WSOP from 1970 to the 1995 World Series and during his career he won 8 WSOP bracelets and over $680,000 in tournament play.
Benny Binion considered him to be the best player in the world. And as you know in 1949 he held a marathon for him and Nick the Greek. If he had done so, maybe there would be no WSOP. By the way, Johnny was the one who had won at it three times (1970, 1971, 1974).
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