The Poker Players Championship is a prestigious tournament held annually at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). This high-stakes event has been a staple of the WSOP calendar since 2004 and has attracted some of the biggest names in poker. In this article, we will take a look back at the history of the tournament and its notable winners.
The Early Years
The first Poker Players Championship was held in 2004, with a field of 68 players competing in a mix of limit hold'em, Omaha eight-or-better, and razz. The event was won by Andy Bloch, who took home a prize of $1,227,470.
The Rise to Prominence
In the following years, the tournament gained popularity and attracted more high-stakes players. In 2006, the event saw its first seven-figure winner, with Barry Greenstein taking home $2,049,321. This was followed by a string of big winners, including Freddy Deeb in 2007 and Michael Mizrachi in 2008.
The $50,000 Buy-In
In 2011, the Poker Players Championship introduced a new format, featuring a $50,000 buy-in and a single-table satellite to determine the starting field. This change brought in more big-name players and raised the stakes even higher.
Notable Winners
Over the years, the Poker Players Championship has seen its fair share of notable winners. Phil Hellmuth won the event in 2012, while Brian Rast took home the title in 2013 and 2016. Michael Mizrachi won his second title in 2018, while Phil Hui won the event in 2019.
The Modern Era
In recent years, the Poker Players Championship has continued to attract top talent. In 2020, the tournament was not held due to COVID-19 restrictions, but it returned in 2021 with a field of 63 players competing in a mix of limit hold'em and mixed games. Dan Cates won his second title in 2022, while Brian Rast won his third title in 2023.
Records and Milestones
The Poker Players Championship has seen its fair share of records and milestones over the years. In 2018, Michael Mizrachi became the first player to win three titles in the event. Dan Cates achieved a rare feat by winning back-to-back titles in 2022.
###The Poker Players Championship is one of the most prestigious events on the WSOP calendar. With its high-stakes buy-in and mix of limit hold'em and mixed games, it has attracted some of the biggest names in poker. As we look to the future, we can expect more exciting moments from this iconic tournament.
References:
- $50,000 The Poker Player's Championship Structure Sheet (PDF)
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- Fast, Erik (July 6, 2016). "Brian Rast Wins 2016 World Series of Poker $50,000 Poker Players Championship". Card Player. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
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