The 1974 World Series of Poker was the year when the most coveted prize in poker history was introduced. It was also the year when one player accomplished something that has only been repeated once. The preliminary events consisted of five and seven-card stud, razz, no-limit hold’em, and deuce-to-seven lowball. Jimmy Casella took down two of those titles, in both variations of seven-card stud. "Amarillo Slim" Preston further strengthened his place in WSOP lore by taking down the preliminary no-limit hold’em event, and Bill Boyd (five-card stud), and "Sailor" Roberts (deuce-to-seven) rounded out the winners. Sixteen players entered the main event that year, growing things from 13 to 16.
Johhny Moss had said after the 1973 WSOP that, “I’m not going to play in tournaments no more. Never. I’m too old.” Moss failed to live up to this statement. He not only entered the main event in 1974, he was playing great and made it to heads-up competition. The 68-year-old poker legend then faced off with Crandell Addington for the top prize in poker. Addington was renowned not only for his poker skills, (he would become a familiar suspect at WSOP final tables for years to come) but also for the elegant style he brought to the table with his extravagant clothing. Addington was a charismatic millionaire from San Antonio and his style earned him the nickname “Dandy Crandell.”
The head’s-up match between Addington and Moss lasted for four hours, and no records remain about the actual hands. In the end, “The Grand Old Man of Poker” won his third championship title, which is a feat that has only been matched by Stu Ungar. Moss was awarded $160,000 in a silver cup for his victory. And, for the first time in WSOP history he was also awarded a gold bracelet. This was an important advancement for the event, because over the years the value of gold bracelets, especially the main event gold bracelet, have become revered in the pantheon of the top prizes in professional sport. They carry as much value as the green jacket that is awarded to the winner of the Masters on the PGA Tour, and the Stanley Cup, which is awarded to the NHL’s championship team each season. As the legend of poker and the WSOP grows, these gold bracelets have become as big of an icon as the legends who wear them.
1974 WSOP Results
Quote Source: “All In: The (Almost) Entirely True Story of the World Series of Poker,” by Jonathan Grotenstein and Storms Reback
WSOP History Article Links:
Preludes
1970 – 1971 – 1972 – 1973
