Eric Raskin has put together an excellent oral history of the 2003 World Series of Poker in Grantland, one of the seminal events in the poker phenomenon that has grown over the years in the US and around the world.

In 1970, Benny Binion put together a publicity stunt to promote his casino in downtown Las Vegas. He sent out invitations to Johnny Moss, Doyle Brunson, Amarillo Slim Preston, and the rest of the world’s greatest card players and called it the World Series of Poker. Seven of them played cash games at Binion’s Horseshoe for three straight days, and when it was over, Moss was named “champion” in a vote of his peers. The next year, six entrants paid $5,000 apiece for the right to play in a no-limit Texas Hold ‘em “freezeout” tournament, in which everyone started with the same number of chips and they played until one man had all the money. A year later, the buy-in doubled to $10,000. In the four decades since, the basic rules of the tournament and the amount of money required to enter have remained constant.

But the number of participants has not. The World Series of Poker main event surpassed 100 players for the first time in 1982. It cracked 200 in ’91, the first year in which the winner claimed a seven-figure cash prize. In 2002, 631 players entered, and the payout was $2 million.

Then came 2003. The 34th-annual World Series of Poker transformed the event into a pop-culture phenomenon. The numbers — by 2006, 8,773 players vied for a first-place prize of $12 million — illustrate how exponential the growth was. Poker went from a game understood by few and played in smoky backrooms to a television staple. In this 10th-anniversary oral history, more than 30 people who were part of the event explain what happened and what it meant for the poker business.

Check out the entire article for a very informative and entertaining read.

You can see the final hand above where Chris Moneymaker wins the tournament. Movies like “Rounders” from 1998 also helped fuel that game’s popularity, but that 2003 tournament helped fans the flames.

There are so many ways to enjoy gambling and poker these days at casinos around the country and online at Metro Play Casino and other great sites that it’s hard to think back to the days when most of the action was in Las Vegas and in back room poker games. Fortunately most people can now drive to a poker room or hone their skills online, and now the World Series of Poker is dominated by guys inspired by Chris Moneymaker. If you’re heading to Vegas and want to test your poker skills, you have to try your hand at this tournament.

Viva Las Vegas! Home to a veritable circus of attractions, shows, glitz and glamour, Vegas describes itself as the ‘entertainments capital of the world’. And you would be hard pressed to find a place that encompasses as much fun and frivolity as this world-famous city situated in the middle of the Mojave Desert.

Once described as “Sin City” due to its tolerance for gambling and other adult fancies, Vegas has now become a popular place for Americans to raise their family and even retire to. However, with over 30 million visitors a year, this place is also a huge tourist attraction. One thing is for sure, there is always something to do in Vegas, as it truly is a city that never goes to sleep!

Home to several museums, including botanical gardens and zoo, with over 150 species of both plants and animals, plus a school of performing arts that regularly hosts Broadway shows and a variety of performances from ballets to famous orchestras, Vegas is not without culture. However, it is on the renowned Las Vegas Strip where the vast and grandiose hotel and casinos are to be found.

The MGM Grand

Just about everything in this hotel is larger than life, grander than grand, bounteously bountiful! Lavish and bold, from the moment you step into the foyer and face the huge golden MGM trademark lion, you know that you could be nowhere else in the world other than Vegas!

The hotel has featured in many a Hollywood movie, and was once the largest hotel in the world. This does mean that getting around the building involves a fair bit of walking, but who cares when there is so much to admire along the way.

As for the casino, Texas Hold‘em is the game that the MGM Grand poker room is most famous for. With 22 tables and a relaxed non-smoking atmosphere, the MGM even offers tableside massages for those who wish to indulge completely in this relaxing environment. On the floor of the casino, there are slots galore, paying out over 750,000 dollars a day on the progressive games.

There is also a sports book area where punters can bet on whichever race or game is being shown on the huge plasma screens on the walls. There are 53 channels available, so no tournament, game or race need be missed!

The Bellagio

Perhaps the most sumptuous yet elegantly decorated casino hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, The Bellagio has the AAA 5 Diamond award for hospitality and service. With stunning views from the guest rooms and designer suites, this hotel is classy and sophisticated.
A strong supporter of the World Poker Tour, the casino is a host to the event when it makes its way to Vegas. There are 39 tables for plenty of poker action, and also ‘Bobby’s Room’ where the stakes are high at a $20,000 minimal buy-in to play.

Caesars Palace

With a reputation for being one of the most famous Casino resort in Vegas, Caesars style is Roman Empire-tastic! A seated Colosseum, Roman statues, sparkling fountains, and opulent ornateness are abundant in this stunning hotel and casino. Spas, Roman baths and delectable gardens – what more could a palace need? Well, there is the casino to explore of course! There are 62 poker tables offering 24-hour gaming and a full tournament schedule in the tournament room. It is also home to the NBC Heads-Up Poker Championship.

There is also a huge variety of slot machines offering massive jackpots. Players can play with a single dollar right up to 5,000 dollars.

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but one thing is certain, you will never forget your time spent visiting this remarkable, unique city.

Slowly but surely, the gaming world is becoming ever so slightly fairer, with female gamers like poker ace and BBC quiz show presenter Victoria Coren beginning to break through to the higher echelons of the industry. Give it another generation and we’ll start to see an increasingly even spread of male and female gaming stars, but for now at least, the classic image of a casino icon is that of a man; a Frank Sinatra, a James Bond, a George Clooney, an impeccably suave alpha male with class, flair, money and serious cojones.

What man in their right mind wouldn’t want to be that guy? Well, with a bit of luck, a fairly considerable amount of expenditure and a good deal of careful thought, many of us Average Joes can actually get pretty close to the mark and become something akin to those pop culture heroes of casino folklore and pick up some of the action.

Without further ado, here’s a handy guide to the three key components you need to have in place to turn heads as a casino-slaying leader of the pack:

The Get-up: You’ve really gotta nail this one. While some serious gamers can rock the casual look complete with Hawaiian shirts, flip-flops and secret fortunes, you’re not just here to have a good time, you’re here to look like a king while you’re at it. The guy in the Hawaiian shirt never gets the best hotel action post-casino play! If money’s no object then we suggest a high-end tailored suit – you can be sure there’ll be plenty of people around you who can spot an ill-fitting jacket and you can bet your bottom dollar they’re pretty merciless human beings. If you’re on a budget, go for vintage cool – Harris Tweeds are surprisingly easy to pick up cheap and can be altered to fit for a small charge.

The Game: If you think you can just walk straight into a casino and impress your peers without learning the ropes first, you’ve got another thing coming. There’s nothing further from the suave casino ideal than an inexperienced player making a hell of a lot of noise without really respecting the culture and history of the industry. Make sure you know your stuff before even setting foot in a casino. To get your game up to scratch, practice anonymously online at sites like Jackpot Capital Casino, immerse yourself in the mythology and history of the industry and learn your hard hands from your pokies.

The Girl: To feel like the complete casino king you’re going to need a dazzling queen on your arm – the Julia Roberts to your George Clooney, the Eva Green to your Daniel Craig. Whether or not you’re already attached, you’ll find that getting a lovely lady to join you on a trip to the casino is anything but a hard sell – just be sure to wine and dine her at your chosen pleasure palace’s glitziest restaurant to keep her howling at your every roll of the dice.

Being the best man means that you’re responsible for throwing a bachelor party, but what can you do when the groom says “No hijinks, and no debauchery!” Planning a classy bachelor party that is adult entertainment-free may not seem appealing, but the truth is that it can be an even better bachelor party than you might think. Here are some great ideas for your elegant, exotic dancer-less stag night:

Hunt — Who says that taking some guns and heading out into the forest for some game hunting isn’t a great idea? There’s nothing manlier than shooting your dinner, and you can have fun bonding with the groom and groomsmen out in the forest. Bring your own guns, rent a cabin in the forest, and hang out by the lake for some bachelor party weekend fun!

Poker Night — Poker night may not seem like the kind of fun that you’d have for a bachelor party, but wait until you throw some drinks into the mix. You can make crazy drinking games for the poker game, such as the loser throws down two shots, the winner picks someone to do a keg-stand, or the first person to go broke is stripped and released in the middle of the downtown area. With some delicious cheap cognacs, plenty of beers, and a hand of cards, you can have a crazy bachelor party the fun way!

Shoot to Kill — For a killer bachelor party weekend, why not take up guns and shoot each other? Don’t grab actual guns, but use paintball guns to shoot each other up with brightly colored balls. Play laser tag for some quality fun, or just spend the evening sitting in front of your massive flat screen TV with the latest Call of Duty or Street Fighter game. Pitting yourself against each other in a game can help you to prove which is the manliest of all.

Extreme Sports — Once he’s married, chances are the groom will not be allowed to go and do crazy things. For one last blowout, why not take him to do those crazy things his future wife will forbid him from doing? Jump out of an airplane with a parachute strapped to your back, jump off a bridge with bungee cord around your legs, or go rock climbing on an extreme route. The more extreme the sport, the better it will be for the groom’s final hurrah!

Road Trip — Do you have places that you’ve always wanted to visit, such as Atlantic City, Disneyland, Graceland, or Mexico? Take a road trip with your friends to your dream destination, and spend the weekend chilling on the beach, at a casino, or on Splash Mountain. There’s nothing like a good road trip with your bros to make you feel like a real man, so give him that one last weekend with the fellas before he finally settles down with the wife.

Both movies and poker have been mainstays in home entertainment for decades. If you are planning a night filled with poker games along with your friends, what could be better than watching a great poker flick while playing? There are several wonderful movies that involve this legendary card sport, but listed below are some of our favorites. The next time you plan a poker game with your friends, try incorporating one of these titles into the night; if your friends love poker, they are sure to enjoy them.

Rounders

This movie portrays modern day poker players, rather than being stuck in the past. Matt Damon’s character is very suiting; Ed Norton is the other lead character in this film. Released in 1998, this movie revolves around the world of Texas Hold’em poker. If you do not have friends over for the night but want to play poker while watching this movie, partypoker is always an option; this will allow for a quieter environment, allowing you to enjoy the film and the game at the same time.

A Big Hand for a Little Lady

In this film, Mary is the wife of a poker player who puts their entire family wealth on the line for a large poker tournament. She does not approve, but gets put into a tight situation. When Meredity (Mary’s husband) suffers from a heart attack, she steps in to play in his place, since he cannot. This movie is a masterpiece in poker related drama, which might strike the interest of feminine players.

Maverick

In this film you meet a character named Maverick, who is on a journey to compete in a large poker tournament. However, he lacks the necessary funds to pay for the entry fee. He knows he has a solid chance at winning, but must raise $3,000 before the tournament. He starts by trying to recover old debts, but this quickly turns into a nightmare. He finds himself being pursued, as certain people are out to stop him from competing. He is continuously betrayed and rivaled, so this comedy doubles over as a drama. It has several twists in the plot, making it a wonderful post-game flick. The main character in this movie is Mel Gibson, and it was released in the 1990’s.

The Cincinnati Kid

This is an older film; a classic in the poker world starring Steve McQueen as “The Kid”. Most diehard poker fans have seen this movie, due to its suspenseful climax. The Kid is an ambitious poker player that wants to try his hand at a game with a renowned poker player; who just happens to come into town. During the showdown, cheating makes for an interesting twist, but does not exactly affect the outcome. During the course of the movie, The Kid loses nearly everything, including his girlfriend. This classic poker flick will have experienced poker players on the edge of their seats, especially if they have yet to see it.

John Cullerton, President of the Illinois Senate since 2009, has proposed that the state becomes an internet gambling hub in a letter to fellow legislative leaders on Tuesday. In it, he suggests that by organizing a major online poker site, Illinois could gain worldwide popularity and bolster finances in the future.

There are only two weeks remaining until the scheduled adjournment on May 31st, and Cullerton clearly wants to push the proposed legislation through while the lawmakers are still in session. Getting in to pass the idea before many of the other States get in on the online poker act could prove to be a great way for Illinois to make a substantial amount of extra money.

“Certain forms of iGaming, especially poker, rely on large pools of potential players, and states that move swiftly to design a system that captures the widest audience of participants will have an advantage in terms of long-range success” Democrat representative Cullerton wrote.

The question is, will the state benefit from being among the first to pass a law sanctioning internet gambling, or is it too risky? Cullerton’s enthusiasm does not seem to strike a chord with Patty Schuh, a Senate Republican spokeswoman, who noted that allowing “internet poker to be sanctioned by the state of Illinois [would raise] a whole lot of questions that need to be answered. Being first isn’t necessarily a good thing.”

However, it’s worth remembering that a whole host of countries already allow internet gambling, and everything from online bingo to fast poker from sites like iGame provide large amounts of revenue in countries around the world, including the United Kingdom.

Though internet poker is only legal in some States, a large number of operators deal exclusively in US Dollars. It makes perfect sense for other States to want to get in on the action, especially when it becomes apparent how lucrative the online gambling industry can be. Some companies are even floated on the Stock Exchange in the United Kingdom.

The State of Illinois only started offering lottery ticket sales online in March, so a move into the online poker industry could represent a major step forward, allowing for new streams of revenue to come in at what can only be described as a difficult economic time, especially in the USA. After all, the gambling industry is going from strength to strength all across the globe.

As a casino fan from Ohio, I was always content with jetting off to Las Vegas for some 24-hour fun at the tables. But as more and more states started allowing casino gambling, it became frustrating to watch Ohio voters consistently reject proposals that would permit casino gambling in Ohio.

Two things helped change that. First, we had the massive recession in 2008, and Ohioans saw billions of dollars leaving the state to casinos in adjoining states like Pennsylvania. Then, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert got involved. Gilbert knows how to get things done, and with his involvement the pro-casino forces finally got their act together and Ohio voters passed a constitutional amendment in 2009 that permitted the construction of four casinos in Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus and Cincinnati.

Phase 1 of the new Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland opens tonight, and I got a sneak peak last week along with some of the local media. As you can see from the photos I took, the renovation of the historic 81-year old Higbee’s Department Store in the heart of Downtown Cleveland has resulted in a beautiful and unique space that will become a featured attraction in C-Town for years to come. The designers were able to incorporate many of the classic features from the old department store and work them in with the Horseshoe brand, particularly the chandeliers and lighting fixtures. Also, most of the old bronze fixtures like the original Higbee doors were fully restored. The new casino blends a classic and modern feel, with high-tech, big-screen slot machines and gambling tables filling the historic space. It’s elegant but also inviting, and I can’t wait to see it when it’s packed with people with cheers coming from the craps tables.

The casino takes up 4 floors of the old building. The main floor is located at street level and will be the primary floor for gambling activity. This was the featured floor of the old department store with big columns, high ceilings and amazing chandeliers, and it provides the perfect space for loads of table games and slot machines. It also features a small but elegant bar area called Legends at Horseshoe. The next floor up features more table games and slots, along with a much bigger bar area in the heart of the space called Vintage 51 that will likely become a popular nightlife spot. This 2nd floor area also features a food court area with three local eateries, including Iron Chef Micheal Symon’s B Spot (burgers), and a high limit gambling area. The ceilings are lower on this floor so it has the cozy feel of an old-school Vegas casino.

Vintage 51 at Cleveland Horseshoe Casino

The new casino is owned and operated by Gilbert’s Rock Gaming LLC, and Gilbert struck a deal with Caesars Entertainment’s Horseshoe brand to handle the day-today gaming operations. With that comes the Total Rewards players club featured at all Caesars properties, so players can rack up points in Cleveland and use them in Vegas or other Caesars location around the world or vice versa. Players can sign up online or at the casino for free. Benefits at Horseshoe Cleveland include 24-hour free self-parking for Total Rewards players who play for 30 minutes and earn at least 15 Tier Credits. Unfortunately, Ohio law prohibits complimentary drinks, but Total Rewards members can earn discounts, and the new, high tech slot machines let you place your order right on the machine as opposed to waiting for a waitress.

I like the way the tables are laid out on the two main floors, and was encouraged to see traditional Blackjack tables. One disturbing trend in Vegas has casinos pushing one-deck Blackjack games that only pay 6-5 on Blackjack, which seriously affected the odds in the casino’s favor. It’s a game for suckers, but all the tables at the Horseshoe Cleveland seemed to have standard shoes and traditional 3-2 payouts on Blackjack.

The top floor of the new casino features a 30-table World Series of Poker Room that is beautifully laid out. I can see spending a lot of time there in marathon poker tournaments, and poker should draw plenty of players to the casino. This top floor also features a stunning VIP players lounge for Diamond Club and Seven Stars Total Rewards members that you can see in photo #7 in the slideshow above. It’s beautifully laid out and it will be interesting to see if they ever permit others to come in with a cover charge, as it has the potential to be destination spot for big spenders.

Poker Room at Cleveland Horseshoe Casino

The new casino is accessible from multiple entrances, including several from the adjoining Tower City complex, a massive mall created from a previous renovation project of the Tower City subway station. The bottom floor of the casino can be accessed directly from the Tower City mall and features 400-seat buffet but no gaming. Additional entrances are available from the main floor of the mall.

The casino will likely breathe new life into this beautiful urban mall along with the rest of the downtown area. The Horseshoe Casino has numerous alliances with restaurants and hotels throughout the downtown area that will benefit players and also spur more economic activity. The Cleveland casino wasn’t developed to be an entirely self-contained entertainment complex like others around the country that you find off of a freeway. Instead, players will be able to easily venture outside and enjoy everything Cleveland has to offer, including nearby Cavs and Indians games. You can follow the casino on Facebook and Twitter for updates and specials.

Cleveland is buzzing over the new casino, and I expect it to attract many players from the Cleveland metro area along with becoming a destination spot for the region. It should also breathe more energy into the Cleveland nightlife scene. I can’t wait for my first roll of the dice!

Beth Shak is a world championship Full Tilt poker player, fashion mogul and entrepreneur whose star is quickly rising. After squashing much of her competition in the Poker world, she has now ventured out into mainstream media as well as the fashion and beauty industry, where she is currently manufacturing a prototype for a medical patent she created. We’ve put together a hot gallery of photos of Beth for you to enjoy as well.

Known for her outspoken behavior, trendy designer outfits and an extended collection of designer shoes, she is every man’s fantasy and every woman’s best friend, as she truly lives a life Carrie Bradshaw would envy. Beth burst on to the poker scene in 2005 with a solid performance at the World Series of Poker Ladies’ event where she finished 8th –a remarkable achievement for someone playing her second live tournament ever. Her most impressive poker win to date was at the 38th WSOP, where she valiantly fought her way through 827 participants to finish 2nd place in the $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em event, taking home a cash prize over $328k.

Beth Shak has built up a considerable reputation as a no-nonsense poker player although she has only been playing for five years. She’s already cashed in at several major tournaments, including 2 World Poker Tour events and 5 World Series of Poker events. Her remarkable rise in professional poker has earned her the sponsorship of Full Tilt Poker and brought her total winnings past the $450,000 mark. Additionally, Beth was featured on NBC’s Poker After Dark and on the popular MTV Cribs.

So, if you couldn’t make it to Vegas but you want to follow the action in real time, check out her Twitter feed and enjoy the ride.

Bullz-Eye publisher Gerardo Orlando recently spoke with Richard Roeper about his new book – “Bet the House.” Roeper loves to gamble, so he came up with a great idea for a book after seeing Morgan Spurlock’s documentary “Super Size Me.” Roeper concocted his own 30-day challenge – he would bet at least $1,000 per day of his own money every day over a 30-day period. It’s a great read and we highly recommend it if you like to gamble. Roeper tries just about every form of wagering he could think of, from poker to a coin flip. He covers blackjack, slots, craps, sports betting, horse racing and much more, along with numerous trips to Las Vegas and some great stories about the Kentucky Derby.

His stories about some of the characters you run into when playing poker are hilarious.

BE: Some of the funniest parts of the book were the references to some of the other poker players you played with – the stereotypical, young poker player with the trucker hat, sunglasses, headphones. Talk a little bit about that because we’ve all run into those characters when we’ve played poker.

RR: Well yeah, it’s been about what…six, seven years now since the poker boom really hit, in the early 2000’s. So you know, you get a lot of these young players who, you know they were 14 or 15, watching the World Series of Poker and they have really been influenced by it, to me, in a comical way. Where they see these guys on TV with the sunglasses and the headphones and the Ed Hardy t-shirts and all that stuff. And they all think that they’re the next sensation and they’re so, you know, so serious and…unfortunately, it’s also given a lot of people license to really behave badly, in a boorish manner at the tables. And they don’t get it that if you’re Phil Hellmuth, you get away with it because you’ve got 11 bracelets and you’ve created a persona. If you’re some kid playing at a charity tournament in Chicago, you know, lighten up, get over yourself.

BE: Yeah, it’s hilarious when you run into those guys.

RR: I love messing with them.