Benny Binion

In the nineteen twenties and thirties, Benny was involved in distribution of illegal liquor and organising illegal gambling gatherings. In 1946, he ended up in Las Vegas, and bought the run down Eldorado Casino. He changed the name to Binion's Horseshoe Casino and turned the place into a place where high rollers played for a lot of cash.

Binion accepted any bet, any size and from anyone who entered the casino. In his casino, the big boys came in carrying suitcases full of money to play for high stakes. In 1970 Binion invited all the top players to play against each other in the Horseshoe Casino in what he considered the world championship of poker. This is how the World Series of Poker (WSOP) was born. This event at the Horseshoe casino is still the most important tournament in the world. Benny Binion died in 1989, his family still runs the casino.

Overview poker players