World Series of Poker Winners and Other Interesting WSOP Facts

Are you interested in the World Series of Poker? Well, you should be. It’s one of the most decorated events on the global poker circuit. That’s not the only thing to know about the WSOP, though. This page will cover the list of big winners along with some other interesting World Series of Poker facts that were collected by our team of poker experts. We also have some tips for how you can take your poker game to the next level.

Here are a few interesting facts you should know:

• The WSOP has given away $3.9 billion in prize money during its time running
• Overall, there have been just over 1.7 million players participating in the events
• Men typically dominate the field of the main event. In 2022, less than 5% of entrants were women
• Speaking of the ladies, the first-ever ladies event happened in 1977. It was a $100 Ladies seven-card stud
• Phil Helmuth has won the most WSOP bracelets, totaling at 17. Four players – including Phil Ivey – are tied for second with 10 apiece
• Antonio Esfandiari has collected the most in winnings at $22.3 million
• Stu Ungar has won the most main events at the WSOP (1980, 1981 and 1997)

Start & End Dates: May 27^th – July 16^th, 2025

WSOP Online Bracelet Events: 30

Where To Watch: WSOP+ App

Total Bracelet Events: 100

Location: Paris Las Vegas & Horseshoe Las Vegas

New Tournaments For 2025: Battle of the Ages, T.O.R.S.E., 2-7 Triple Draw

Main Event Dates: July 2-July 16

2025 World Series of Poker: main event key dates

The Main Event is the most-watched event, so if you’re wondering how the days and tournaments break down, we’ve got you covered.

Here are the key dates:

Fun facts

The World Series of Poker has a lot of legendary stories and memorable moments around it. From bad beats and the costumes to the superstitions, we’re sharing some of the cool facts to tell your friends.

• The WSOP was born in 1969. It evolved from the Texas Gamblers Reunion, which was a set of invitational poker tournaments held in Las Vegas
• In 1970, there was just one WSOP bracelet given away. In 2025, there will be 100 (most ever).
• The WSOP has given away $3.9 billion in prize money during its time running
• Overall, there have been just over 1.7 million players participating in the events
• Men typically dominate the field of the main event. In 2022, less than 5% of entrants were women
• Speaking of the ladies, the first-ever ladies event happened in 1977. It was a $100 ladies seven-card stud
• All but 16 of the WSOP main event winners were American
• Jonathan Duhamel (2010) is the only Canadian to ever win the event
• Phil Helmuth has won the most WSOP bracelets, totaling at 17. Four players – including Phil Ivey – are tied for second with 10 apiece
• Antonio Esfandiari has collected the most in winnings at $22.3 million
• The biggest main event prize for first place was $12.1 million, which was collected by Daniel Weinman in 2023
• Stu Ungar and Johnny Moss have won the most main events at the WSOP (each won three)
• Youngest main event winner: Joe Cada (21)
• Oldest main event winner: Johnny Moss (66)

The WSOP Main Event has some of the biggest prize pools on the poker circuit. As a result, it’s not surprising that some of the biggest winners join the Main Event. After all, the rise of Texas Hold’em helped turn the tournament into the global spectacle it is today.

If there was a Mount Rushmore for the WSOP, who would be on it? There are a lot of big names in the mix but we’re going to highlight five notable ones who have collected a lot of hardware over the years.

🏆 Phil Hellmuth

• Bracelets won: 17
• Main event wins: 2

Almost any top poker list will have Hellmuth on it. He was a star on the WSOP broadcasts on ESPN. There was a point where his plays were must-see TV. In total, he’s collected 17 WSOP bracelets – six more than anyone else, and he’s also won the main event, twice. That’s quite the epic run.

🏆 Johnny Moss

• Bracelets won: 9
• Main event wins: 3

You could probably say that Moss was one of the founders of the WSOP or very close to it. He won the initial event back in 1970 before it was more formally known. When the name and format changed, he still conquered two more main events, in 1971 and 1974. His three main event victories are the most by any player ever.

🏆 Doyle Brunson

• Bracelets won: 10
• Main event wins: 2

The Texas Dolly is a legend by any measure. He won so much on tour that he might have even been a Hall of Famer, without his WSOP success. His WSOP participation and winnings are quite remarkable. Only Phil Ivey and Hellmuth, have more bracelets. He played in every single WSOP since its inception, until he retired in 2023, at the age of 89. Unfortunately, he also passed away that same year.

🏆 Phil Ivey

• Bracelets won: 11
• Main event wins: 0

Although Ivey never won the big one, he did a lot of other winning across the other events. Only Hellmuth has more bracelet wins. Surprisingly, his best finish at a main event was seventh. Don’t shed too many tears for him, though, as he’s made 36 final tables and finished in the money (at various WSOP events) 91 times.

🏆 Johnny Chan

• Bracelets won: 10
• Main event wins: 2

Johnny Chan is the last player to win the WSOP main event in back-to-back years (1987 and 1988) and he’s one of just three players to do that. He has long been one of the biggest names in the business, which is partially why he found his way into the legendary poker film, Rounders (Matt Damon’s character bluffs him out of a pot).

Whether you’re planning to play or whether you’re just spectating, the WSOP should be on your calendar in the coming days and weeks. The main event is always a spectacle.

If you’ve honed your skills enough, it might be time for you to be one of the many entrants. Recently, Daniel Weinman still went back to work four days after his WSOP victory, it just goes to show even the pros know when to fold or go all in.

You decide whether this high-stake tournament is for you, if not, we have plenty of online casinos that offer poker fans the opportunity to sharpen their poker skills and gamble responsibly.