WSOP 1997
Looking back on the year 1997, I am struck by how many surprising occurrences took place on both local and global stages during those twelve months. Every so often, a decade will produce a certain year in which trends that have been building for some time seem to bubble over, giving way to new and stranger trends. Certainly, this is how the entire year of 1997 felt at the time to those who were paying close attention.
Allow me to give you just a few examples from the geopolitical side of this equation. On June 30th of 1997, China took back control of Taiwan after what must have been a long and sweet honeymoon for those citizens living off the mainland. But, as any married person can tell you, honeymoons are not meant to last.
Furthermore, a U.S. space shuttle finally linked up of with the Russian space station Mir high above the celestial canopy. This sign of cooperation between two former enemies had been slowly gaining speed and momentum for quite a few years, but it was not until January 19th of '97 that what seemed like an impossible dream became a reality.
In the world of professional poker, there were tremendous changes and new precedents being set, as well. The 1997 World Series of Poker will always be remembered as unique, for it was the only WSOP where the main event took place outdoors. Since the passing of Benny Binion in December 1989, quite a few changes had taken place at his beloved casino. A new exterior attraction was added, called the Fremont Street Experience, just outside of Binion's. It was there that the main event was held. To some traditionalists, this was a jarring change and not a welcome one. But to the younger generation, for whom anything new is necessarily exciting and good, it made for a very hip tournament.
An absolutely massive field of 312 entrants made it all the way to the main event. Lots of strong challengers. But no one in the press corps predicted that Stu "The Kid" Ungar, after a long lapse from the top levels of professional poker due to drug addiction and other problems, would come roaring back to take the main event bracelet and a $1,000,000 prize. For years, people had been wondering if and when one of the early poker greats from the WSOP's history would make a comeback and in 1997 Stu Ungar shocked us all by fulfilling a trend that been set in motion many years before.
by Arthur Crowson
