WSOP 1983
I hate to betray my age here, especially as I am keenly aware that a large percentage of Peter Thorn�s readership is under the age of 30, but I must confess that 1983 will always live in my memory as a very special year.
The reasons for this are many and varied, ranging from professional triumphs to personal breakthroughs. But I was not alone in reaping an especially bountiful twelve months. It seemed that the whole world was on fire with a renewed sense of hope. After a few traumatic years at the start of the decade, it looked like the 1980s were finally catching their stride and America regained its invincible status in the global community.With the iPod Nano currently serving as the portable music device of choice among the young and hip, it may seem startling to remember that it was in 1983 that the compact disc was introduced to the world. How vividly I remember burning all of my vinyl albums, which numbered greater than 400, as part of a huge of bonfire near the Venice Beach pier with dozens of other groovy folks. Naturally, I've had many occasions to regret that move ever since, realizing that I threw away not only a highly valuable stash of memorabilia but also an irreplaceable part of my own youth.
But, Peter Thorn never has believed in looking back, except when it comes to examining some of the highlights in the illustrious history of the World Series of Poker. There can be no doubt that 1983 was a particularly good year for this venerable tournament.
As had been the case ever since the first WSOP in 1970, the action was held at any Binion�s Horseshoe casino on Fremont Street in glorious downtown Las Vegas. There were a total of 108 competitors seated in the main event and each of them had to pony up $10,000 in order to earn a chance at taking the big prize.
All of the most famous - in some cases notorious - faces on the professional poker circuit were in attendance and it was a particularly heated competition from the very first game. Many wondered if Stu Ungar could come back from his heartbreaking loss the previous year and take a third that WSOP championship bracelet home. In fact, there were pretty good odds on this scenario unfolding, but it was not to be. The great Tom McEvoy won it all, pocketing $540,000 as a reward for his stellar poker play. Many in attendance, including this humble correspondent, feel that there have been few times in the history of this tournament in which such tenacity has been brought to bear in the main event.
by Mason Raymond
