Name: Benny Binion
DOB: November 20, 1904
Alias: None
Hometown: Las Vegas Nevada
Nationality: American
Total Winnings (as of Jan '07):
N/A (live tournament)
N/A (live tournament)
Notable accomplishments:
Created the World Series of Poker in 1970
Created the World Series of Poker in 1970
WSOP Highlights:
Bracelet(s): N/A
Money finishes: N/A
Highest ITM main event finish: N/A
*ITM = in the money, To place high enough in a poker tournament to get prize money.
Bracelet(s): N/A
Money finishes: N/A
Highest ITM main event finish: N/A
*ITM = in the money, To place high enough in a poker tournament to get prize money.
WPT Highlights:
Titles: N/A
Final tables: N/A
Money finishes: N/A
Titles: N/A
Final tables: N/A
Money finishes: N/A
Benny Binion Biography
Benny Binion was born in Grayson County Texas and was raised in El Paso. In 1931 Binion was convivted of the murder of Frank Bolding. Binion said the shooting was in self defence and because of the reputation of Bolding, Binion was only given a two-year suspended sentence. By the early 40's Binion was the reigning mod boss in Dallas. After World War Two the chicago mob moved into Dallas and Binion fled with his family to Las Vegas, In 1951 Binion opened the Westerner Gambling House and Saloon. Later in '51 he purchased Eldorado Club and Apache Hotel and opened them as Binion's Horseshoe casino.Binion is a Poker Legend not for his ability to play but for his foresight in creating one of the most important Poker Tournaments the World Series of Poker. The WSOP started after Binion had spent years of lining up heads up matches he decided to invite six high-rollers to play in a poker tournament in 1970. The players would play for the cash at the table and after the game was over they would vote on a winner. Johnny Moss at age 63 was voted the champion by his peers and was awarded a small trophy. Binion decided that the next year the tournament would take on a freeze-out format with a $10,00 buy-in and this was the birth of the World Series of Poker.
The creation of the World Series of Poker was a key driving force in the spread of poker and it's popularity. Binion drastically underestimated how popular his tournament might one day become. He speculated that the tournament might have 50 players in it. The 2005 main event had over 5,600 players entered.