1978 World Series of Poker - Recap

By 1978, Jack Binion had taken over most the responsibility of running the tournament from his father, Benny. Forty-two players signed up for action that year, including the first woman ever. Barbara Freer, from El Cajon, California, anteed up the $10,000. So did Gabe Kaplan. The famous entertainer only lasted four hours in the tournament, but he would be associated with the game of poker for many years to come. Brunson’s quest for a three-peat came up short when he busted just two hours into the action.

The tournament had now been expanded to a four-day affair. At the start of the final day, young Bobby Baldwin held the chip lead. “The Owl” had $163,600, which was twice the amount of chips his next closest competitor held. The outside forces of CBS (who was there to film the final table) instituted a formal prize structure. The top five finishers would all walk away with prize money. Ken “Top Hat” Smith would not be among those five when he was eliminated in sixth place.

The final pitted the young gun Baldwin against one the Texas road gamblers old guard, Crandell Addington. Four hours into the match, Addington possessed the chip lead. He held $275,000 to the $145,000 Baldwin had in front of him. The opponents went to dinner and when they came back Baldwin went on the aggressive. He forced Addington to lay down his hand with a $65,000 bet on the turn. Baldwin won $92,000 when Addington folded and he took control of the match. Baldwin slow played the next two hands, which cost Addington $30,000 a pop. Baldwin extracted another $30,000 from Addington for the third hand in a row when he made a straight over Addington’s set of threes.

The score was now Baldwin: $370,000 Addington: $50,000. On the final hand, Addington limped with pocket nines. Baldwin bet $10,000 and then Addington moved all in. Baldwin flipped up pocket queens. The board was dealt KcQs9h and Addington had one remaining out. A 10 on the turn and ace on the river were not that one card, and Addington finished in second place. Baldwin won the gold bracelet and $210,000.