1994 saw a remarkable surge in the popularity of the World Series of Poker. The recession had ended, gambler’s bankrolls were flush and Dick Van Patten’s debut as host of the show the previous year had given the event some mainstream legs. Attendance in the main event surged from 220 the previous year to a new record 268 players.
While no one dominated the prelims the way Phil Hellmuth and Ted Forrest had the year before, there were a number of notable achievements. TJ Cloutier won two bracelets, the only player to do so. Erik Seidel won jewelry for the third year running. Johnny Chan, Jay Heimowitz, Lyle Berman and Huck Seed were amongst the other more-decorated members of that year’s ruling class.
As the ’94 event was the Series’ twenty-fifth anniversary, Jack Binion honored the occasion by adding a little something to the prize pool; the winner would win his weight in silver, a much bigger prize for some than others. Amongst those who gained to benefit the most was 330-pound Russ Hamilton.
Hamilton, a legendary card and golf hustler, knew the score. All through the penultimate day leading up to the weigh-in, he was eating as much as he could take. When the time finally arrived, he carried 4,000 half-dollar coins on his person. Caught in the act, he was forced to remove the silver before the poundage was tallied.
To Binion’s chagrin, Hamilton won out over his slimmer opponents. His opponent in the final was Hugh Vincent, a chain smoking amateur whose demeanor suggested in indifference to victory or defeat. Vincent started the duel with the lead, but Hamilton won a pot worth T198,000. Vincent was munching on a hamburger brought to the table when the final hand commenced.
On the final hand, Vincent limped in with 8c-5h, flopping top pair when the board came 8c-6d-2s. He bet out for T100,000, but Hamilton was waiting for him, re-raising all-in. Vincent called immediately, only to find himself out-kicked by Hamilton’s Ks-8h. The turn came 10c and the river Js; Hamilton was the new champion. He received $28,512 in silver, $1,000,000 in cash and one priceless gold bracelet.
Gary Wise
gary@wisehandpoker.com
