The Five Best World Series of Poker Champions

The main event at the World Series of Poker used to be the crowning of one of the best poker players around, used to be. In recent years some less than stellar poker players have hit an amazing hot streak and rode off into the sunset with the title, yes I am talking about you Jamie Gold and Jerry Yang. The list of champions does have some impressive names on it and here are the best.

5. Johnny Chan: When you win back to back Main Events a follow that up with a second place finish the next year, you are a legend. Well that is exactly what Chan did from 1987-1989. He also played a key role in what is perhaps the biggest poker of all time, Rounders. Chan has won 10 WSOP bracelets in his career. Chan was born in China and paved the way for many other Asian players. Chan is known for keeping an orange with him during tournament play, whether it is for luck or he likes the smell it seems to be working for him.

4. Johnny Moss: The winner of the first WSOP Main Event and two others, Moss was an old time gambler. Early in his career as a professional gamble he traveled from town to town in Texas out of necessity, trying to stay one step ahead of the law for gambling wasn't legal then. He is one of the initial members of the Poker Hall of Fame. Through his career he won eight bracelets. Moss died in 1995.

3. Doyle Brunson: Another Poker Hall of Famer, Doyle Brunson has won the Main Event twice. His biggest contribution to the game of poker is his 1978 book Super System, which is considered by many the premiere book for learning the game. He has won ten bracelets and is one of poker's best embassadors. Brunson's biggest win was beating a 1962 cancer diagnosis, where he was given just three months to live. Now over 45 years later Brunson can still be found at high stakes cash games and the WSOP.

2. Phil Hellmuth: Rightfully nicknamed the Poker Brat, Hellmuth won the Main Event in 1989. Known as much for his mouth and pouting as for his poker skills, he still is one of the best to ever paly the game, and he won't be afraid to tell you that. Hellmuth has a record 11 WSOP bracelets. He was elected to the Poker Hall of Fame in 2007.

1. Stu Ungar: In his tumultuous and short life Stu Ungar won three WSOP Main Events and five bracelets overall. Unfortunately Ungar was known as much for his drug abuse as for amazing poker play. Ungar was also a champion gin rummy player. Just like far too many rock stars, Ungar burned out at a young age, dying in 1998 at the age of 42, from a heart condition brough on by years of sunstance abuse. Three years after his death he was enshrines in the Hall of Fame.

Sources:

WSOP bracelets leaderboard, pokerpages.com

Johnny Moss page, pokersite.org

Johnny Chan page, pokerlistings.com