With the 2006 World Series of Poker approaching in just under two weeks, I thought it was high time to take a look back through the decades at the history and champions that have shaped this event into the phenomenom it is today.
              
Starting today off with the 1970's, I will continue the series by decade throughout the week.

1970
The inaugural World Series of Poker was held in 1970 at Binion's Gambling Hall in Las Vegas, Nevada. Johnny Moss, a native of Odessa, Texas, was elected as Champion by his peers through collective vote.

1971
Moss went on to win the 1971 event as well, clearly proving (as if there were any doubt) that he was indeed one of the best players in the world. In addition to the title, he took home $30,000.

This was the final year that featured only one event.

1972
In 1972, two events were held. The first was Five-Card Stud, and Bill Boyd was the winner. He collected $20,000.

The Main Event was won by one of the most well known names in poker history, Amarillo Slim Preston, who took home $80,000.

1973
Puggy Pearson owned the 1973 World Series, winning not only the Championship Event but also two more of the six events held: No Limit Hold'em and Seven Card Stud. Puggy's earnings totaled $179,000.

Other winners in 1973 were:
Sam Angel, Seven-Card Razz $32,000
Aubrey Day, Deuce to Seven Draw $16,500
Jack Straus, Deuce to Seven Draw $16,500

1974
Johnny Moss took down the Championship again, this time earning $160,000 for his efforts - double what he earned just three years earlier.
Bill Boyd won the Five-Card Stud event worth $40,000, Amarillo Slim won $11,100 in a NLHE event, Sailor Roberts took first in the Deuce to Seven Draw for $35,850, and Jimmy Casella won two events: Seven-Card Razz and Seven-Card Stud. His total earnings at the 1974 World Series was $66,225
   
1975
Five events were held in 1975. This time, Sailor Roberts won the Main Event and $210,000 in prize money.

Johnny Moss claimed yet another title, winning the Seven-Card Stud event which was worth $44,000.

Other winners were:
Sam Angel, Seven-Card Razz $17,000
Billy Baxter, Deuce to Seven Draw $35,000
Jay Heimowitz, No Limit Hold'em $32,000

1976
1976 marked the first Championship bracelet win for Doyle Brunson. As we all know he went on to win nine more (the most recent of which was won just last year) proving not only his skill but also his longevity in the game. Doyle also won the Deuce to Seven Draw event in 1976, making his total earnings $300,250 for the year.

Other winners were:
Howard 'Tahoe' Andrew, two No Limit Hold'em events, totaling $51,600
Perry Green, Ace to Five Draw $68,300
Doc Green, Seven-Card Stud Split $12,750
Johnny Moss, Seven-Card Stud $13,000
Walter Smiley, Seven-Card Stud $35,000

1977
And Brunson wins it again. He won his third and fourth consecutive bracelets in 1977 for first place finishes in the Championship Event, as well as the Seven-Card Stud Split, making his World Series earnings $402,500 for that year.
  
Due to increased popularity more events were held in 1977 than ever before, plus a ladies-only event was seen for the first time at the Series.

Other winners were:
Billy Allen, Ace to Five Draw $10,800
Bobby Baldwin, Deuce to Seven Draw and Seven-Card Stud, winnings totaled $520,000
Bones Berland, Seven-Card Razz $8,300
Perry Green, Ace to Five Draw $10,000
George Huber, No Limit Hold'em $33,000
Louis Hunsucker, No Limit Hold'em $34,200
Jackie McDaniels, Women's 7-Card Stud $5,580
Fats Morgan, Seven-Card Stud Split $10,800
Jeff Sandow, Seven-Card Stud $11,400
Richard Schwartz, Seven-Card Razz $25,000

1978
The Year of the Owl. Bobby Baldwin won the Championship Event and $210,000, and went on to become one of the most influential people in Las Vegas casino and poker room history. If you haven't read Bobby Baldwin's Winning Poker Secrets, I seriously recommend you do. Though it isn't exactly the most instructional book on how to play poker, it is one hell of a story.

Other winners in 1978:
Billy Baxter, Deuce to Seven Draw $90,000
Bones Berland, Seven-Card Razz and Seven-Card Stud, totaling $36,300
Doyle Brunson, Seven-Card Stud $68,000
Aubrey Day, No Limit Hold'em $42,600
Terry King, Women's 7-Card Stud $10,080
Lakewood Louie, Draw High $21,000
Hans "Tuna" Lund, No Limit Hold'em $46,800
Chip Reese, Seven-Card Stud Split $19,200
Henry Young, Ace to Five Draw $19,200

1979
Hal Fowler won the 1979 Championship, which was worth $270,000.

Also this year, Doyle Brunson won bracelet #6, this time in Mixed Doubles. Starla Brodie also won a bracelet in this event, each of them earning $4,500.

Bobby Baldwin won $90,000 and a bracelet for the third consecutive year, this time in Deuce to Seven Draw. Bones Berland collected another two bracelets, in Seven-Card Stud and Seven-Card Stud Split.

Other winners:
Barbara Freer, Women's Seven-Card Stud $12,720
Perry Green, No Limit Hold'em $76,500
Lakewood Louie, Draw High and Ace to Five Draw, totaling $45,000
Sam Mastrogiannis, Seven-Card Razz $22,200
Johnny Moss, Seven-Card Stud $48,000
Dewey Tomko, No Limit Hold'em $48,000

Coming next, a look at the World Series of Poker in the 1980's.