1976 World Series of Poker


The 1976 World Series of Poker was a series of poker tournaments held from May 3 to May 10, 1976 at Binion's Horseshoe.

Events

The 1976 WSOP featured seven preliminary events. Howard Andrew became the second player in WSOP history to win the first two events of a single World Series, joining Jimmy Casella from 1974. Moss's win in Event #6 made him the first player in WSOP to win six career bracelets. Future Hall of Famer and established poker professional Doyle Brunson won his first two career WSOP bracelets.
#DateEventEntriesWinnerPrizeRunner-upResults
1May 3, 1976$1,000 No-Limit Hold'em56Howard Andrew $28,000Al Ethier
2May 4, 1976$2,500 No-Limit Hold'em25Howard Andrew $24,000Dewey Tomko
3May 5, 1976$5,000 Deuce to Seven Draw26Doyle Brunson $90,250Aubrey Day
4May 6, 1976$1,000 Ace to Five Draw80Perry Green $68,300Bill Orman
5May 7, 1976$1,000 Seven Card Stud Split17Doc Green $12,750Artie Cobb
6May 8, 1976$500 Seven Card Stud52Johnny Moss $13,000Hal Wilber
7May 9, 1976$5,000 Seven Card Stud11Walter Smiley $35,000Eric Drache
8May 10, 1976$10,000 No Limit Hold'em Main Event22Doyle Brunson $220,000Jesse Alto

Main Event

There were 22 entrants to the main event. Each paid $10,000 to enter the winner-take-all tournament. The 1976 Championship was the first WSOP Main Event to award the winner a gold bracelet along with the cash prize. In the final hand of the Main Event, Jesse Alto held, while Doyle Brunson held. The flop came giving two pairs for Alto and one pair for Brunson. Alto then led out with a pot size bet, Brunson with the chip lead countered by moving all-in, which was called. The turn came, giving Brunson two pair but still trailing, the river brought giving Brunson a full house and the win. Doyle Brunson's win was the first of two consecutive Main Events for the future Poker Hall of Famer.

Final table

PlaceNamePrize
1stDoyle Brunson$220,000
2ndJesse Alto-
3rdTommy Hufnagle-
4thCrandell Addington-
5thBob Hooks-
6thUnknown-