In 2003, the game of poker changed forever after Chris Moneymaker topped a field of 839 players to win the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event for $2.5 million. By doing so, the Moneymaker effect ignited the “Poker Boom,” which saw the tournament field triple the following year.
The 2004 Main Event was the last to be held at the birthplace of the WSOP – Binion’s Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas. The venue was packed to the rafters with 2,576 players entering that year’s tournament, and with the ESPN cameras capturing all the action several poker players made a name for themselves that year including young guns David Williams and Josh Arieh, while 1995 WSOP Main Event champ Dan Harrington made history by following up his third-place finish in the 2003 WSOP Main Event by placing fourth in 2004 for $1.5 million.
However, when the dust settled it was a patent attorney from Connecticut by the name of Greg Raymer winning the whole thing for a smooth $5 million and a gold bracelet. While attempting to defend his title in 2005, which doubled from the year prior by attracting 5,619 players, Raymer proved his win was no fluke by making another deep run, ultimately falling in 25th place for $304,680.
It’s been 20 years since Raymer’s victory, but he hasn’t slowed down as he’s continued to play poker all across the globe. In recognition of Raymer’s anniversary, PokerNews caught up with the champ, who will be at the 2024 WSOP!
Just before the break, two players were heads up on the river with a J♥7♥K♦9♦5♥ board. Grant Yarbrough bet around 30,000 from under the gun into a similar sized pot.
Action was on Matej Gorba from the cutoff, who took some time before making the call. As Gorba made the call, Yarbrough said, "You win. why don't you fold?" before he had even seen Gorba's cards.
Gorba showed A♦A♠ and said "I almost folded," as Yarbrough turned over 9x10x.
Gorba sat with a healthy stack after the pot and Yarbrough was left with around starting stack.
Michael Tieu was seen dragging in a sizable pot after having knocked out one of his opponents with a full house.
With cards still face up at showdown and the board reading 9♠K♠8♥2♦9♣, Tieu tabled K♦9♦ for nines full of kings, besting his opponent's two pair with K♥5♥.
The next hand, Tieu called his opponent down with pocket sevens on a paired board. At showdown, his opponent flipped over pocket sixes, and Tieu's stack increased further.
