by: David Olsen

In days gone by the game of poker was reserved for dimly lit barrooms, and back rooms filled with smoke. Times have changed. Poker has become nationally recognized as a game, not a bar-brawling excuse for fighting. Millions follow the world series of poker.

Initially the world series of poker was an event held in Las Vegas mainly to draw publicity. Now the world series of poker is nationally televised, and has huge crowds as the games progress. There's even been best-selling books written about the world series of poker.

No longer an evil, threatening type, the world series of poker attracts the interest of everyone. Men and women alike are mesmerized by people like Mike "The Mouth" Matusow, who recently won $1,000,000.00 at the tournament of champions in Las Vegas. This tournament began with 114 players. The final table lasted more than eleven hours. Phil Hellmuth, gave Mike a close run being the second highest chip beginning the second day of the tournament.

There's a wide variety of influences and personalities of those who play the world series of poker. Everything from the cowboy type, to Rene Angelil, who is the manager of the international diva, Celine Dion has made it to the world series of poker. The variety of the kinds of people who make it to the world series of poker isn't limited to the old time evil perception of those who play.

One of the oldest and most well know poker legends who playing in the 2005 world series of poker was Doyle Brunson Brunson with a 50 year poker career, is perhaps the most widely known professional poker player. Unfortunately and surprisingly Brunson was eliminated on the second day of play at the tournament of Champions.

Steve Dannenmann a modest 39-year-old CPA and mortgage broker from Severn, Maryland got the attention of the poker world by outlasting 5,617 players in the main event at the 2005 World Series of Poker (WSOP). He was within one hand of achieving championship, but ended up as the second place finisher to Joseph Hachem. When asked about his achievement and winning $4,250,000 in prize money, Dannemann is reserved. He says he is just lucky to be playing with so many great players. Yet, as witnessed by his participation in the 2005 Wolrd Series of Poker, Dannemann's mild manner hides a tremendous talent in tournament poker.

The World Series of Poker is a fascinating event and the 2006 World Series of Poker promises to show-case world-class talent and excitement. Be sure to check it out.