2005 - This Year in WSOP History

January 18

World Series of Poker Circuit Debuts
Nghi Tran defeats field of 249, including Erick Lindgren heads up, to win first WSOP Circuit main event at Harrah's Atlantic City for $780,615.

February 3

Tom McEvoy & T.J. Cloutier's Championship Hold'em Tournament Hands Released
Excellent collection of important WSOP Main Event hands including most years from 1978 to 2001. [Approximate date]

February 19

Chris Moneymaker's Moneymaker Released
The amateur who sparked the poker boom by winning his Main Event entry online tells his story.

April 26

Amarillo Slim Preston's Amarillo Slim in a World of Fat People Released
Very entertaining tales from a Texas road gambler, including a chapter on the 1972 WSOP Main Event.

June 2

2005 World Series of Poker Begins at Its New Home, the Rio Hotel & Casino
Last two days of the Main Event to be last hurrah for the Horseshoe, while all other events will be played entirely at the Rio.

June 3

Total WSOP Entries Top 100,000
2,305 players enter $1,500 No-Limit Hold 'Em to reach the milestone.

$500 Casino Employee No-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #1, began 6/2)

Winner: Andy Nguyen ($83,390)

Entries: 662 (63 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 5

Allen Cunningham Wins $1,500 No-Limit Hold 'Em for Third Bracelet
Defeats non-Main Event record field of 2,305 for $725,405.

$1,500 No-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #2, began 6/3)

Winner: Allen Cunningham ($725,405)

Entries: 2305 (200 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 6

$1,500 Pot-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #3, began 6/4)

Winner: Thom Werthmann ($369,535)

Entries: 1071 (100 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 7

$1,500 Limit Hold 'Em (Event #4, began 6/5)

Winner: Eric Froehlich ($303,908)

Entries: 1049 (100 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 8

$1,500 Omaha Hi/Lo (Event #5, began 6/6)

Winner: Patrick Poels ($270,100)

Entries: 699 (63 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 9

$2,500 Short-Handed No-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #6, began 6/7)

Winner: Isaac Galazan ($315,125)

Entries: 548 (66 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 10

$1,000 No-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #7, began 6/8)

Winner: Maciek Gracz ($594,460)

Entries: 826$ (1495 rebuys) (72 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

$1,500 Seven-Card Stud (Event #8, began 6/9)

Winner: Cliff Josephy ($192,150)

Entries: 472 (40 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 12

Erik Seidel Wins $2,000 No-Limit Hold 'Em for Seventh Bracelet
Defeats field of 1,403 for $611,795.

$2,000 No-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #9, began 6/10)

Winner: Erik Seidel ($611,795)

Entries: 1403 (140 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 13

$2,000 Limit Hold 'Em (Event #10, began 6/11)

Winner: Reza Payvar ($303,610)

Entries: 569 (54 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

$2,000 Pot-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #11, began 6/12)

Winner: Edward Moncada ($298,070)

Entries: 540 (45 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 14

Josh Arieh Wins $2,000 Pot-Limit Omaha for Second Bracelet
Defeats field of 212 (395 rebuys), including Chris Ferguson heads up, for $381,600.

$2,000 Pot-Limit Omaha (Event #12, began 6/13)

Winner: Josh Arieh ($381,600)

Entries: 212$ (395 rebuys) (18 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 16

T.J. Cloutier Wins $5,000 No-Limit Hold 'Em for Sixth Bracelet
Defeats field of 466 for $657,100.

$5,000 No-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #13, began 6/14)

Winner: T.J. Cloutier ($657,100)

Entries: 466 (45 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

$1,000 Seven-Card Stud Hi/Lo (Event #14, began 6/15)

Winner: Steve Hohn ($156,985)

Entries: 595 (48 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 17

$1,500 Limit Hold 'Em Shootout (Event #15, began 6/16)

Winner: Mark Seif ($181,330)

Entries: 450 (45 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

$1,500 No-Limit Hold 'Em Shootout (Event #16, began 6/17)

Winner: Anthony Reategui ($269,100)

Entries: 780 (78 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 19

$2,500 Limit Hold 'Em (Event #17, began 6/18)

Winner: Quinn Do ($265,975)

Entries: 373 (36 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 20

$1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha (Event #18, began 6/19)

Winner: Barry Greenstein ($128,505)

Entries: 293 (27 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

$2,000 Seven-Card Stud Hi/Lo 8/OB (Event #19, began 6/19)

Winner: Denis Ethier ($160,682)

Entries: 279 (24 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 22

$5,000 Pot-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #20, began 6/20)

Winner: Brian "FL" Wilson ($370,685)

Entries: 239 (18 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 23

WSOP Pays Out 10,000th Prize
The 10,000th prize awarded in WSOP history goes to Max Pescatori for 19th place in $2,500 Omaha Hi/Lo ($4,955).

$2,500 Omaha Hi/Lo (Event #21, began 6/21)

Winner: Todd Brunson ($255,945)

Entries: 359 (36 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 24

Sam Petrillo d. 2005 [age 68] (b. 8/17/1936)
1979 WSOP Main Event 6th place (not paid) & 1981 WSOP Main Event 9th place ($15,000).
Obituary | WSOP.com | Hendon

Mark Seif Wins $1,500 No-Limit Hold 'Em PSO Invitational for Second Bracelet of Year
Defeats field of 2,013 for $611,145 just one week after winning $1,500 Limit Hold 'Em Shootout for $181,330. (PSO = PokerSchoolOnline.com)

$1,500 No-Limit Hold 'Em PSO Invitational (Event #22, began 6/22)

Winner: Mark Seif ($611,145)

Entries: 2013 (200 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 25

$5,000 Seven-Card Stud (Event #23, began 6/23)

Winner: Jan Sorensen ($293,275)

Entries: 192 (16 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 26

Farzad Bonyadi Wins $2,500 No-Limit Hold 'Em for Third Bracelet
Defeats field of 279 (777 rebuys) for $594,960.

$2,500 No-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #24, began 6/24)

Winner: Farzad Bonyadi ($594,960)

Entries: 279$ (777 rebuys) (100 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 27

Johnny Chan Wins $2,500 Pot-Limit Hold 'Em for Record Tenth Bracelet
Defeats field of 425, including Phil Laak heads up, for $303,025 to beat Doyle Brunson and Phil Hellmuth to double digits.

Jennifer Tilly Wins Ladies Championship
Actress defeats a field of 601 for $158,335 as event becomes No-Limit Hold 'Em for the first time. The tradition of holding the Women's Championship on Mother's Day ends with the entire festival pushed back a little over a month.

$2,500 Pot-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #25, began 6/25)

Winner: Johnny Chan ($303,025)

Entries: 425 (36 paid)

Chan beats Doyle Brunson and Phil Hellmuth to ten bracelets.

WSOP.com | Hendon

$1,000 Ladies Only Event - No-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #26, began 6/26)

Winner: Jennifer Tilly ($158,335)

Entries: 601 (54 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 28

Phil Ivey Wins $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha for Fifth Bracelet
Defeats field of 134 (229 rebuys) for $635,603.

$5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha (Event #27, began 6/26)

Winner: Phil Ivey ($635,603)

Entries: 134$ (229 rebuys) (9 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 29

Gabe Kaplan Finishes Second in $5,000 Limit Hold 'Em
Pockets career-best $222,515 after losing to Dan Schmiech heads up.

$5,000 Limit Hold 'Em (Event #28, began 6/27)

Winner: Dan Schmiech ($404,585)

Entries: 269 (27 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

June 30

$2,000 No-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #29, began 6/28)

Winner: Lawrence Gosney ($483,195)

Entries: 1072 (100 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

$1,500 Seven-Card Razz (Event #31, began 6/29)

Winner: O'Neil Longson ($125,690)

Entries: 291 (24 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

July 1

Doyle Brunson Wins $5,000 Short-Handed No-Limit Hold 'Em for Tenth Bracelet
Defeats field of 301 for $367,800 to tie Chan's record bracelet total just four days later.

$5,000 Short-Handed No-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #30, began 6/29)

Winner: Doyle Brunson ($367,800)

Entries: 301 (48 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

July 2

David Chiu Wins $5,000 Omaha Hi/Lo for Fourth Bracelet
Defeats field of 224 for $347,410.

$5,000 Omaha Hi/Lo (Event #32, began 6/30)

Winner: David Chiu ($347,410)

Entries: 224 (18 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

July 3

$3,000 No-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #33, began 7/1)

Winner: Andre Boyer ($682,810)

Entries: 1010 (100 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

July 4

Paul McKinney Wins Seniors Championship at 80 Years Old
Wins $202,725 and becomes oldest player to earn his first bracelet and second oldest to win any bracelet behind only Johnny Moss.

Rafi Amit Wins $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha for Israel's First Bracelet
Defeats field of 165 for $511,835.

$1,000 Seniors No-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #34, began 7/2)

Winner: Paul McKinney ($202,725)

Entries: 825 (72 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

$10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha (Event #35, began 7/2)

Winner: Rafi Amit ($511,835)

Entries: 165 (18 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

July 5

Cyndy Violette Sets Women's Record With Third Final Table of Year
Finishes 7th in the $3,000 Limit Hold 'Em for $44,820 after placing 2nd in the $2,000 No-Limit Hold 'Em for $295,970 and 7th in the $5,000 Pot-Limit Hold 'Em for $44,930.

Jennifer Harman Sets Record With Fifth Cash of Year
Finishes 81st in $1,000 No-Limit Hold 'Em for $3,290 to go with cashes in $2,000 Seven-Card Stud Hi/Lo (3rd for $53,903), $5,000 No-Limit Hold 'Em (16th for $15,330), and $1,000 No-Limit Hold 'Em (48th for $5,265).

Jack Binion and Crandell Addington Inducted Into Poker Hall of Fame
Binion became president of the Horseshoe in 1963, helped create the World Series of Poker in 1970, and owned the Horseshoe from 1989 to 2004.
Addington finished in the final ten of the WSOP Main Event seven times, including second place in 1974 and 1978.

$3,000 Limit Hold 'Em (Event #36, began 7/3)

Winner: Todd Witteles ($347,385)

Entries: 406 (36 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

July 6

$1,000 No-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #37, began 7/4)

Winner: Jon Heneghan ($611,015)

Entries: 894$ (1584 rebuys) (81 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

$5,000 No-Limit Deuce-to-Seven Draw (Event #38, began 7/5)

Winner: David Grey ($365,135)

Entries: 65$ (139 rebuys) (7 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

July 11

$1,500 No-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #40, began 7/11)

Winner: Ron Kirk ($321,520)

Entries: 863 (72 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

July 12

$1,000 No-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #41, began 7/12)

Winner: John Pires ($220,935)

Entries: 971 (90 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

July 13

Nick Cassavetes Last Celebrity Standing in WSOP Main Event
In his first WSOP tournament, the actor and director finishes 93rd for $77,710.

$1,000 No-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #42, began 7/13)

Winner: Willie Tann ($188,335)

Entries: 758 (72 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

July 14

Allen Cunningham Is WSOP Player of the Year
Cashes five times for over a million dollars to easily outdistance Mark Seif.

July 15

Greg Raymer Last Champ Standing in Main Event
Exits in 25th place for $304,680.

Tiffany Williamson Finishes 15th as Last Woman Standing in the WSOP Main Event
Wins $400,000 for women's Main Event record.

July 16

Joe Hachem Wins 2005 WSOP Main Event
Defeats field of 5,619, including Steve Dannenmann heads up, for record $7,500,000 as the final two days play out in the Horsehoe for the last time.

$10,000 Main Event - No-Limit Hold 'Em (Event #39, began 7/7)

Winner: Joe Hachem ($7,500,000)

Entries: 5619 (560 paid)

WSOP.com | Hendon

August 29

History Channel Airs "Breaking Vegas - The Prince of Poker"
Episode covers James McManus's 2000 WSOP Main Event run with James C. Burns as the author, Scott Beringer as T.J. Cloutier, and actual tournament footage.

September 1

Steve Rosenbloom's Best Hand I Ever Played Released
Wide variety of entertaining and educational stories from 52 poker pros. Nine of the selected hands are from a WSOP Main Event.

October 1

Jonathan Grotenstein & Storms Reback's All In Released
Detailed run-throughs of every World Series of Poker Main Event through 2004, including many hands from the final tables. [Approximate date]

November 9

Mike Matusow Wins Tournament of Champions
Defeats field of 114, including Hoyt Corkins heads up, to win $1,000,000 in the non-bracelet event.

December 5

Big One for One Drop $1 Million Bracelet Event Announced
In conjunction with the One Drop Foundation and Guy Laliberte, the WSOP will run a million-dollar tournament from July 1 to 3, 2012 with $111,111 of each entry going to the charity.

December 11

Annie Duke's Annie Duke - How I Raised… Released
The Duchess of Poker's life story intertwined with a recap of the 2004 WSOP $2,000 Limit Omaha 8-or-Better tournament. [Approximate date]