WSOP 1984
When I think back to the glorious summer of 1984, the one image that comes to my mind most vividly is a dominant United States. It seemed that in every possible endeavor, Uncle Sam was kicking butt and taking names.
Arguably one of the most dramatic examples of this was at the 1984 Summer Olympics. Rarely has the U.S. shown such merciless and comprehensive dominance on this great global stage of athletes.Granted, the fact that the Soviet Union boycotted that particular Olympiad tarnished the level of American mastery in the minds of some naysayers, but these folks (invariably skinny, pale, unshaven, chain-smoking weaklings) were generally dismissed by most members of the United States - including this writer- as being little more than whiney Communist sympathizers.
Another way in which America's preeminence on the world stage was personified was in the entertainment world. Michael Jackson had just released a little album called "Thriller." Yes, I realize that, knowing what we now know about the gloved one, it is hard to think of anything he has done in his career in a positive light. But, we were a much more innocent people back then and there was not a single person I knew who did not croon "Beat It" in the shower on a daily basis. Further comment on this topic will be avoided in the interest of decorum.
So let me say it a few words about the 1984 World Series of Poker, because I know that's what you are most interested in. Once again, this tournament brought out the very best that the poker world had to offer. And, it was also a tournament in which a new champion was introduced to the biggest prize of all. His name was Jack Keller and he took home an absolutely massive $660,000 as a result of some mind-blowing poker skills.
But it was not easy for Jack to get there. He faced a truly intimidating field of competitors, each of whom managed to reap a fair amount of cash and enhance his own reputation. There were two runners up that year, both making impressive showing us: Byron Welford for $264,000 and Jesse Alto for $132,000.
All throughout the 1984 WSOP, Benny Binion could be seen watching the action with a big smile. Nothing made this legendary casino owner happier then watching the best players in the world duke it out at his tables. He was the most enthusiastic spectator of all.
by Mason Raymond
