Introduction: From Cowboy to Kingmaker
Have you ever wondered who really invented the World Series of Poker? Who had the vision to bring gamblers together under one roof, not just to win money but to win history? That man was Benny Binion. A cowboy, a gangster, a casino innovator, and the godfather of modern poker.
Born Lester Ben Binion in a dusty Texas town, Benny’s journey from bootlegger and mob enforcer to Las Vegas legend is one of the wildest stories in gambling history. His life reads like a western: filled with violence, charisma, money, and the relentless pursuit of power. But his greatest legacy? Creating the WSOP—a global poker phenomenon that transformed the game forever.
This is the story of how one outlaw built the most prestigious poker tournament in the world, reshaped downtown Las Vegas, and left behind a legacy as controversial as it is iconic.
Chapter 1: Texas Roots and the Rise of a Gambling Outlaw
Benny Binion was born on November 20, 1904, in Pilot Grove, Texas. Frail from illness and homeschooled by his mother, he found his education not in books, but in backroom gambling dens and horse stables. As a teenager, he started rolling dice, betting on horses, and running numbers.
During Prohibition, he turned to moonshining. By the 1920s and ’30s, Benny had become deeply entrenched in Dallas’s underground gambling world. He wasn’t just a player; he was an enforcer. He earned his street cred with violence—he was allegedly involved in several killings, though never convicted.
His reputation grew fast. By the 1940s, Benny controlled the Dallas gambling scene. But the law was closing in. Facing pressure from authorities and feuds with other gangsters, he packed his bags for Las Vegas. It was there that Benny Binion would build his empire.
Chapter 2: Building Binion’s Horseshoe
Las Vegas in the late 1940s was a gambler’s playground—but it lacked class. Casinos catered to the elite, and working-class players were often ignored. Benny saw an opportunity. In 1951, he opened Binion’s Horseshoe Casino downtown. It wasn’t flashy, but it was revolutionary.
He introduced key innovations that modern casinos still use:
- Carpets on the floor (casinos previously had sawdust floors)
- Free drinks and limo rides for all players—not just the rich
- Honest weights and full-pay machines
- High betting limits—sometimes with no limit at all
Benny famously said, “Good food, good whiskey, good gamble—that’s the Horseshoe way.” He treated gamblers with respect, creating a casino where the common man could bet big and feel like a king.
Chapter 3: Trouble with the Law
Benny’s past caught up with him. In 1953, he was convicted of tax evasion and served time in Leavenworth prison. He lost his gaming license and control of the Horseshoe temporarily. But even in prison, he remained a force in Vegas.
Upon release, his sons—Jack and Ted Binion—helped him regain control of the casino. While Jack managed the business, Benny remained the face of the Horseshoe, still feared and revered.
Chapter 4: The Birth of the World Series of Poker
In 1949, long before the WSOP, Benny hosted a legendary high-stakes poker match between Johnny Moss and Nick “The Greek” Dandolos at the Horseshoe. The game reportedly lasted months, drawing spectators from across Vegas. It was the seed of an idea.
In 1970, Benny turned that idea into the first World Series of Poker. He invited seven of the best players in the country to compete. At the end, they voted on who played best. Johnny Moss won, and the WSOP was born.
The next year, Benny introduced a freezeout format with a $10,000 buy-in Main Event. That was the turning point. What began as a private gathering became the most prestigious poker tournament in the world.
Chapter 5: Revolutionizing Poker Forever
Under Benny’s vision, the WSOP grew each year. It welcomed amateurs, pros, dreamers, and hustlers. The allure of winning a gold bracelet—and a spot in poker history—was too strong to resist.
Throughout the 1970s and 80s, the WSOP helped define poker culture. Legends like Doyle Brunson, Stu Ungar, and Amarillo Slim became household names. Benny Binion made poker a spectator sport before poker was ever on television.
He also founded the Poker Hall of Fame in 1979, honoring the game’s greats while strengthening the WSOP’s legacy.
Chapter 6: A Complicated Legacy
Benny Binion died on December 25, 1989. He left behind a legacy full of contradictions. He was a criminal who brought legitimacy to poker. A mobster who championed fairness in gambling. A cowboy who built a global brand.
Even after his death, his name lives on. The WSOP moved from Binion’s to the Rio and now the Horseshoe and Paris casinos. But every time a bracelet is awarded, it’s a nod to Benny’s vision.
His family continued to make headlines—his son Ted Binion was involved in one of Vegas’s most infamous murder cases. But none of the drama has dimmed the shine of Benny’s impact on poker.
Final Thoughts: The Man Behind the Game
Benny Binion didn’t just build a casino—he built a culture. He didn’t just start a tournament—he started a tradition. The World Series of Poker exists because one man believed poker players deserved a place in the spotlight.
So next time you watch a WSOP final table or dream of winning a bracelet, remember the man in the cowboy hat who made it all possible. He was an outlaw, a visionary, and the original poker kingmaker.
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BetterPokerNews.com brings you the most captivating stories from the world of poker. From tournament recaps to poker legends like Benny Binion, we dig deeper to bring the human stories behind the cards. Stay with us for global poker updates, history, and insight.
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