Before the Boom

Chris Moneymaker's improbable win at the World Series of Poker Main Event in 2003 began the poker boom that brought many of us to the game of Texas Hold'em, but one year earlier another unlikely champion claimed poker's biggest prize.

The 2002 Main Event was won by Robert Varkonyi, a mild mannered investment banker from Brooklyn, and had ESPN and PokerStars been involved in that event, it may have been his victory that launched poker into the mainstream.

The 52-year old Varkonyi is in the building today, competing in the Senior's event in pursuit of his fourth WSOP cash, and perhaps even his second bracelet.

As one of the most decorated players in attendance here this morning, we will be sure to track Varkonyi's progress as this Day 1 continues.