Johnny Moss facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Johnny Moss |
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Moss at the 1974 World Series of Poker
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| Nickname(s) | The Grand Old Man of Poker |
| Residence | Dallas, Texas |
| Born | May 14, 1907 Marshall, Texas |
| Died | December 16, 1995 (aged 88) |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Bracelet(s) | 9 |
| Money finish(es) | 25 |
| Highest ITM Main Event finish |
Winner, 1970, 1971, 1974 |
Johnny Moss (born May 14, 1907 – died December 16, 1995) was a famous professional poker player. He was known as "The Grand Old Man of Poker." Johnny Moss was the very first winner of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. In 1970, his fellow players voted him the champion. He also won the WSOP Main Event two more times, in 1971 and 1974. In 1979, he became one of the first people to join the Poker Hall of Fame.
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Early Life and Learning Poker
Johnny Moss was born on May 14, 1907, in Marshall, Texas. He grew up in Dallas, Texas. As a young boy, he started learning about gambling. He learned how some people tried to cheat in games. Moss used this knowledge to help others.
When he was a teenager, a local saloon hired him. His job was to watch the games. He made sure everyone played fairly. While doing this, he learned a lot about poker strategy.
Poker Career Highlights
After a few years, Moss became a "rounder." This means he traveled around the country. He looked for places to play poker and other games. In the 1950s, Moss moved to Odessa, Texas. This area was having an oil boom. Many people were there, and there was a lot of gambling action. Moss and other players were part of some of the biggest poker games in Texas for many years.
Famous Poker Match: Moss vs. Nick the Greek
In 1949, Johnny Moss played a very famous poker game. He played against a player named Nick the Greek. This game was a "heads-up" marathon, meaning only two players. It was set up by casino owner Benny Binion. The game lasted for five months. Moss reportedly won millions of dollars.
At the end of the game, Nick the Greek said a famous poker quote: "Mr. Moss, I have to let you go." Many people say this game inspired the creation of the World Series of Poker.
Was the Famous Game Real?
For a long time, this game was one of the best-known poker stories. However, some people later questioned if it happened exactly as told. A book called Showgirl Stories by Steve Fischer suggested the game might not have taken place in 1949. Fischer pointed out that there were no news reports about it. Also, the casino where it supposedly happened, the Horseshoe Casino, wasn't open yet.
Later, Jack Binion, Benny Binion's son, helped clear things up. He said Johnny Moss and Nick Dandolos (Nick the Greek) did play poker in 1949. But it was at the Flamingo casino, not the Horseshoe. And it was a private game, not open to the public.
Jack Binion also said there was another big game at the Horseshoe in the early 1950s. Moss played in that game, but Nick the Greek did not. This game was public. So, the confusion likely came from Moss playing in both games. The idea for the WSOP actually came from an event called the Texas Gamblers Reunion.
World Series of Poker Success
Johnny Moss won the World Series of Poker Main Event three times. He won in 1970, 1971, and 1974. In 1970, the players themselves voted him the champion. He received a silver cup as his prize.
Moss played in every WSOP from 1970 until 1995. During his career, he won nine WSOP bracelets. This puts him among the top players of all time. He held the record for most WSOP bracelets for many years. He won a total of $834,422 in WSOP tournaments.
Johnny Moss's World Series of Poker Bracelets
| Year | Tournament | Prize (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | ||
| 1971 | Limit Ace to 5 Draw | $10,000 |
| 1971 | $5,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship | $30,000 |
| 1974 | $10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship | $160,000 |
| 1975 | $1,000 Seven Card Stud | $44,000 |
| 1976 | $500 Seven Card Stud | $13,000 |
| 1979 | $5,000 Seven Card Stud | $48,000 |
| 1981 | $1,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo | $33,500 |
| 1988 | $116,400 |
- In 1970, Moss was voted champion by his fellow players. He was given a silver cup.
- Moss holds the record for the oldest player to win a WSOP bracelet. This record still stands today.
Personal Life and Legacy
Johnny Moss was married to Virgie, who was from West Texas.
Moss had a special strategy for poker tournaments. In the early parts of a tournament, he focused on surviving. As the game went on and the stakes got higher, he would play more aggressively. He would test his opponents with bigger bets.
Another famous poker player, Doyle Brunson, included Moss in his list of top poker players. He called it his "Mount Rushmore" of poker. This shows how highly other pros thought of Johnny Moss.
An official book about Moss's life, called Champion of Champions, was written by Don Jenkins.
