1978 World Series of Poker


The 1978 World Series of Poker was a series of poker tournaments held in May 1978 at Binion's Horseshoe, and was the first WSOP that was not a winner-take-all prize.
Instead the tournament had a progressive prize structure, as follows 50 percent for the Winner then 20 for second, 15 for third, 10 for fourth, and 5 percent for fifth place.

Events

There were ten preliminary events at the 1978 World Series of Poker. Future Poker Hall of Famer Chip Reese won his first WSOP bracelet in the 1978 WSOP.
#DateEventEntriesWinnerPrizeRunner-upResults
1May 7, 1978$10,000 No Limit Deuce to Seven Draw15Billy Baxter $90,000Byron Wolford
2May 8, 1978$1,000 Limit Razz32Gary Berland $19,200David Singer
3May 9, 1978$500 Limit Seven-card stud57Gary Berland $17,100Neil Einfeld
4May 10, 1978$5,000 Limit Seven Card Stud23Doyle Brunson $68,000Bobby Baldwin
5May 11, 1978$1,000 No Limit Hold'em71Aubrey Day $42,600Unknown
6May 12, 1978$200 Ladies' Limit Seven Card Stud84Terry King $10,080Starla Brodie
7May 13, 1978$5,000 Limit Draw High7Lakewood Louie $21,000Rick Greider
8May 14, 1978$1,500 No Limit Hold'em52Hans Lund $46,800Curtiss Skinner
9May 15, 1978$1,000 Limit Seven Card Stud Split32Chip Reese $19,200Jerry Pruitt
10May 16, 1978$1,000 Limit Ace to Five Draw32Henry Young $19,200Gary Berland
11May 17, 1978$10,000 No Limit Hold'em Main Event42Bobby Baldwin $210,000Crandell Addington

Main Event

There were 42 entrants to the main event. Each paid $10,000 to enter the tournament. The 1978 Main Event was the first edition of the tournament to pay prize money to any players other than the winner. Bobby Baldwin received half of the total prize pool for his win. Crandell Addington finished runner-up in the Main Event, which he did in the 1974 WSOP Main Event.

Final table

PlaceNamePrize
1stBobby Baldwin$210,000
2ndCrandell Addington$84,000
3rdLouis Hunsucker$63,000
4thBuck Buchanan$42,000
5thJesse Alto$21,000
6thKen Smith-

Performance of past champions

Other notable players