Johnny Moss - Poker Player

Biography

Johnny Moss (May 14, 1907 –December 16, 1995) is one of the most legendary professional poker players of all time in the poker world. He earned fame by winning world tournaments and being formally inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. Johnny Moss was known for being the first poker player to win the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. His winnings include World Series Poker Main Event's current tournament format in 1971 and 1974.

Background

The birthplace of the legendary poker player Johnny Moss is Marshall, Texas. But he grew up in Dallas, where he became familiar with the intriguing card game poker, which he later played passionately. How Moss learnt to play poker is quite interesting. He came in contact with a gang of cheaters who trained him to cheat in games. But Moss utilized the knowledge to get a job in a salon to look out for cheating players. He put this time to good use by learning poker strategies, which later helped him to win tournaments.

Poker Career

Moss won the World Series of Poker Main Events in 1970, 1971, and 1974. Because of his excellent poker skills and effective poker strategy, his peers elected him champion and conferred a silver cup as a symbol of excellence.

Johnny Moss won nine World Series of Poker bracelets; the last one might have been one of his greatest achievements since he was over 70. Moss has won a total amount of $824,922 in WSOP tournament play. Johnny Moss gambled huge amounts of money.  On the one hand, he would win millions of dollars betting on his personal bowling and golf matches and the other hand, lose millions on craps tables. Until he died in 1997, Johnny Moss lived in Las Vegas and regularly played at The Horseshoe. Doyle Brunson, who also was from Texas, always admired Moss. Johnny Moss participated in various tournaments and events. The year 1949 is considered one of the historical moments in poker, which might have been the introduction to today's World Series of Poker. In a five-month-long poker marathon arranged by Benny Binion, an American poker enthusiast and casino owner, Moss confronted Nick the Greek, who was earning somewhere between $2 and $4 million. After the game ended, Nick was worn out and said to Johnny, "Mr. Moss, I have to let you go,” which became the most popular quote in the world of poker and also inspired many to play in the WSOP.

Johnny Moss would have won more World Championships without difficulty if the WSOP had been started earlier. The Ace-Ten (starting poker hand) is named after Johnny Moss. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Johnny Moss was and will remain the ‘best player of all time’.

Johnny Moss World Series of Poker bracelets

Johnny Moss's Net Worth

Johnny Moss has a total live earnings of $1,254,859.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bracelets Johnny Moss has won?

Johnny Moss has won nine World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet.