WSOP Main Event Winners
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event is the $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em World Championship and one of poker’s best-known annual tournaments. Since 1970, it has grown from a small gathering at Binion’s Horseshoe into a global event with thousands of entrants. Its champions include old-school road gamblers, tournament specialists, online qualifiers, and modern pros who have helped shape the game.
Historical milestones in the Main Event
The first Main Event champion was Johnny Moss, who was selected by his peers in 1970 after the original WSOP cash-game format. In 1972, the Main Event adopted the $10,000 freezeout structure that remains central to the tournament today. Doyle Brunson then became one of the event’s early icons, winning in 1976 and 1977. Both times, he won the final hand with ten-deuce, now known as the “Doyle Brunson hand.”
Stu Ungar added another major chapter. He won back-to-back titles in 1980 and 1981, then returned in 1997 to win a third Main Event, matching Moss as a three-time champion. Johnny Chan’s wins in 1987 and 1988 made him the last player to capture back-to-back Main Event titles, while Phil Hellmuth stopped Chan’s bid for three in a row in 1989.
The modern era changed sharply in 2003, when Chris Moneymaker became the first Main Event champion to qualify through an online satellite. The amateur accountant turned an online entry into a $2.5 million title, and his win helped fuel the early-2000s poker boom.
In 2008, Danish player Peter Eastgate won the WSOP Main Event at 22 years, 10 months, and 28 days old. He defeated Ivan Demidov heads-up and earned $9,152,416. Eastgate’s win came in the first year of the “November Nine” format, when the final table was delayed for television. At the time, he was the youngest Main Event champion; Joe Cada broke that record the following year at age 21.
Notable winners and stories
- 2025: Michael Mizrachi – Mizrachi won the Main Event for $10,000,000 after also winning the $50,000 Poker Players Championship that same summer, a rare double that led to his Poker Hall of Fame induction.
- 2024: Jonathan Tamayo – Tamayo topped a record Main Event field of 10,112 players and won $10,000,000.
- 2023: Daniel Weinman – Weinman won $12,100,000, the largest Main Event first prize to date, after a 10,043-player field.
- 2011: Pius Heinz – Heinz became the first German Main Event champion, winning $8,715,638.
- 2010: Jonathan Duhamel – Duhamel became Canada’s first Main Event champion and won $8,944,310.
- 2009: Joe Cada – Cada became the youngest Main Event winner in history, earning $8,546,435.
- 1995: Dan Harrington – Harrington won the Main Event and later became known for his tournament strategy books and deep Main Event runs in 2003 and 2004.
- 1979: Hal Fowler – Fowler is remembered as the first amateur to win the Main Event, taking $270,000 and showing that the title was not reserved only for established professionals.
Each of these players brought their unique style and strategy to the table, illustrating the diverse approaches to poker that can lead to success. Their stories inspire many aspiring players who dream of achieving similar feats.
Comprehensive list of WSOP main event winners
The table below provides a detailed list of WSOP Main Event winners, their respective years, and the prizes they received:
| Year | Winner | Prize | Final Hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Michael Mizrachi | $10,000,000 | Tc3c |
| 2024 | Jonathan Tamayo | $10,000,000 | 8d3s |
| 2023 | Daniel Weinman | $12,100,000 | KcJd |
| 2022 | Espen Jørstad | $10,000,000 | Qd2s |
| 2021 | Koray Aldemir | $8,000,000 | Td7d |
| 2020 | Damian Salas | $2,550,969 | Qh9h |
| 2019 | Hossein Ensan | $10,000,000 | QdJd |
| 2018 | John Cynn | $8,800,000 | Ad8d |
| 2017 | Scott Blumstein | $8,150,000 | 9h9s |
| 2016 | Qui Nguyen | $8,005,310 | 6s5s |
| 2015 | Joe McKeehen | $7,683,346 | AdKh |
| 2014 | Martin Jacobson | $10,000,000 | Ac8c |
| 2013 | Ryan Riess | $8,361,570 | QdJd |
| 2012 | Greg Merson | $10,174,029 | Kd5d |
| 2011 | Pius Heinz | $8,715,638 | AsKc |
| 2010 | Jonathan Duhamel | $8,944,138 | AsJh |
| 2009 | Joe Cada | $8,546,435 | 9c9d |
| 2008 | Peter Eastgate | $9,119,517 | Ad5s |
| 2007 | Jerry Yang | $8,250,000 | 8d8c |
| 2006 | Jamie Gold | $12,000,000 | Qs9c |
| 2005 | Joseph Hachem | $7,500,000 | 7c3s |
| 2004 | Greg Raymer | $5,000,000 | 8d8s |
| 2003 | Chris Moneymaker | $2,500,000 | 5d4s |
| 2002 | Robert Varkonyi | $2,000,000 | QsTs |
| 2001 | Juan Carlos Mortensen | $1,500,000 | KcQc |
| 2000 | Chris Ferguson | $1,500,000 | As9c |
| 1999 | Noel Furlong | $1,000,000 | 5d5c |
| 1998 | Scotty Nguyen | $1,000,000 | Jd9c |
| 1997 | Stu Ungar | $1,000,000 | Ah4c |
| 1996 | Huck Seed | $1,000,000 | 9d8d |
| 1995 | Dan Harrington | $1,000,000 | 9d8d |
| 1994 | Russ Hamilton | $1,000,000 | Ks8h |
| 1993 | Jim Bechtel | $1,000,000 | Jc6h |
| 1992 | Hamid Datsmalchi | $1,000,000 | 8h4c |
| 1991 | Brad Daugherty | $895,000 | KsJs |
| 1990 | Mansour Matloubi | $755,000 | 6h6s |
| 1989 | Phil Hellmuth Jr. | $755,000 | 9s9c |
| 1988 | Johnny Chan | $700,000 | Jc9c |
| 1987 | Johnny Chan | $625,000 | As9c |
| 1986 | Berry Johnston | $570,000 | AsTh |
| 1985 | Bill Smith | $700,000 | 3h3s |
| 1984 | Jack Keller | $660,000 | ThTs |
| 1983 | Tom McEvoy | $540,000 | QdQs |
| 1982 | Jack Straus | $520,000 | AhTs |
| 1981 | Stu Ungar | $375,000 | AhQh |
| 1980 | Stu Ungar | $385,000 | 5s4s |
| 1979 | Hal Fowler | $270,000 | 7s6d |
| 1978 | Bobby Baldwin | $210,000 | QdQc |
| 1977 | Doyle Brunson | $340,000 | Ts2h |
| 1976 | Doyle Brunson | $220,000 | Ts2s |
| 1975 | Brian “Sailor” Roberts | $210,000 | 9h9s |
| 1974 | Johnny Moss | $160,000 | 3h3s |
| 1973 | Walter “Puggy” Pearson | $130,000 | As7s |
| 1972 | Thomas “Amarillo Slim” Preston | $80,000 | KhJd |
| 1971 | Johnny Moss | $30,000 | 6c6s |
| 1970 | Johnny Moss | Silver Cup | – |
As the WSOP continues to evolve, the competition intensifies, and the prize pools grow larger. Each winner not only takes home a significant cash prize but also earns a place in poker history. The stories of these players inspire future generations of poker enthusiasts.
The evolution of the WSOP
Since its inception in 1970, the WSOP has undergone a dramatic transformation. Originally a small gathering of poker enthusiasts, it has grown into a global phenomenon. The tournament now features various events, including different poker variants, attracting players from all walks of life.
The introduction of online poker in the early 2000s significantly impacted the WSOP. Players could now qualify for the Main Event through online satellites, making it accessible to a broader audience. This change has led to increased participation and a diversification of the player pool.
Moreover, the rise of televised poker has played a crucial role in popularizing the WSOP. Networks began broadcasting the event, showcasing the excitement and drama of the final table. This exposure has not only heightened interest in poker but has also elevated the status of WSOP winners to celebrity-like figures.
Conclusion: the enduring legacy of WSOP champions
The WSOP Main Event is more than just a poker tournament; it is a celebration of skill, strategy, and determination. Each winner’s story contributes to the rich tapestry of poker history, inspiring new generations of players. As we look forward to future tournaments, the legacy of past champions continues to influence the game, reminding us of the thrill and excitement that poker brings.