What Is 1995 World Series of Poker results

Overview

The 1995 World Series of Poker marked a pivotal moment in poker history, setting new records for participation and prize money. Held at Binion's Horseshoe Casino in downtown Las Vegas, the series showcased the growing popularity of no-limit Texas Hold'em.

With 271 players entering the Main Event, the tournament surpassed previous attendance records and solidified poker's rising mainstream appeal. Dan Harrington, a seasoned player with a strong tournament resume, emerged victorious after a grueling heads-up battle.

• 271 entrants competed in the Main Event, creating a prize pool of $2,710,000—the largest in WSOP history up to that point.
• Dan Harrington won the title, defeating Howard Goldfarb in heads-up play after more than 12 hours of final table action.
• The winner's prize of $1,000,000 was the largest single payout in poker history at the time, highlighting the game's increasing financial stakes.
• This victory made Harrington the first former World Champion of Online Poker to win the WSOP Main Event, underscoring his strategic versatility.
• The 1995 WSOP featured 12 total bracelet events, including Seven-Card Stud, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Deuce-to-Seven Lowball.

How It Works

The 1995 WSOP Main Event followed the standard no-limit Texas Hold'em format, where players compete in a freezeout tournament until one player holds all the chips.

• Blind Levels: Each level lasted 20 minutes, with starting blinds at 100-100 and escalating every round to challenge player endurance and strategy.
• Starting Stack: Players began with 5,000 in tournament chips, a standard amount for the era that emphasized careful early-game decisions.
• Entry Fee: The buy-in was $10,000, qualifying the event as a championship-level tournament and attracting elite competitors.
• Structure: The tournament used a single-elimination format, with players eliminated upon losing all chips and no re-buys allowed.
• Final Table: The last nine players reached the televised final table, a format that began gaining media attention in the mid-1990s.
• Championship Title: The winner received a gold bracelet and a $1,000,000 prize, cementing the WSOP as poker’s most prestigious event.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1995 WSOP to previous and future tournaments reveals key shifts in participation, prize structure, and media coverage.

The steady increase in entrants from 1993 to 1997 reflects growing interest in poker, driven by televised coverage and rising prize pools. The $1,000,000 prize became a benchmark, remaining constant even as fields expanded, due to the $10,000 buy-in structure. The 1995 event was a turning point, bridging the old guard of poker with the modern era of professional play.

Why It Matters

The 1995 WSOP played a crucial role in shaping modern poker, influencing tournament structure, player recognition, and media exposure. Its success helped pave the way for the poker boom of the 2000s.

• Dan Harrington's victory elevated his status as a poker strategist, later leading to influential books on tournament play.
• The record 271-player field demonstrated that poker was gaining traction beyond niche gambling circles.
• Increased television coverage of the final table helped popularize poker as a spectator sport.
• Winning the title gave Harrington endorsement opportunities and speaking engagements, foreshadowing modern poker careers.
• The consistent $1,000,000 first prize from 1993–1997 established a standard of prestige for the Main Event.
• The 1995 WSOP contributed to Binion's legacy as the home of poker, reinforcing Las Vegas as the game’s capital.

Today, the 1995 tournament is remembered as a foundational moment in poker history, setting benchmarks for competition and prize value that future events would build upon.