At a poker table, a single card can turn a losing hand into a winning one. An underdog defies the odds and takes the victory prize home from under the opponent’s nose.
That’s a moment called a bad beat in poker lingo. It had happened often in live poker tournaments where luck met strategies to turn the tables on the seemingly inevitable.
Let’s explore those biggest upsets of all time where underdogs etched themselves into poker history with jaw-dropping performances.
Mansour Matloubi (1990 WSOP Main Event)
Mansour Matloubi’s victory at the WSOP is a remarkable upset story. He entered the tournament in 1990 as an unknown non-professional player from Wales. When WSOP main event dates were announced, who would have thought his name would go down in history as the best underdog performance?
In this poker event, the Iranian-British player faced off against some of the biggest names in the poker world, including Phil Hellmuth Jr., Johnny Chan, and Erik Seidel.
Skillful play and a bit of luck shaped his destiny at the final table. The main credit goes to his heads-up match against Hans Lund. With millions of dollars on the line, Matloubi found himself in a risky position, trailing Lund in chips.
However, lady luck favored Matloubi. He flopped a set of sixes against Lund’s overpair of kings. With this fortunate turn of events, Matloubi kissed the victory and took home a cash prize of $835,000.
In an interview, even Matloubi said it was an unbelievable experience for him, as he had just started playing Texas Hold’Em.
Nevertheless, his triumph is forever to talk about. Today, he’s famous as the first non-American to win the WSOP Main Event.
Chris Moneymaker (2003 WSOP Main Event)
Who doesn’t know Phil Ivey? The GOAT of the poker world. Nevertheless, this legendary story is of the dark horse, Chris Moneymaker, and his incredible run at the 2003 World Series of Poker.
Moneymaker was a complete amateur during this poker event. He held a strong hand, but Ivey had a full house. With Moneymaker’s winning chances only 17%, it looked like a surefire win for Ivey.
However, Moneymaker got the winning hand with an Ace on the river card that changed the game forever. It’s a hand that poker pros discuss even today. This incredible luck set Moneymaker on the path to victory.
Moneymaker won a $1 million pot. A shocking twist, indeed! It’s a reminder of the game’s unpredictable nature.
This watershed moment in poker history was dubbed the Moneymaker Effect, which inspired millions to start playing poker.
Jamie Gold (2006 WSOP Main Event)
This WSOP was all about endurance and strategic gameplay. After all, Jamie Gold seized the biggest first-place payout in WSOP Main Event history.
Gold dominated the 2006 poker tournament with his aggressive style, showmanship, and calculated decisions. He analyzed his opponents’ actions and mistakes throughout the final table to adjust his poker gaming strategies. He even maintained a strong chip lead.
After defeating a field of 8,772 participants, he claimed a record-breaking prize of $12 million and the WSOP title of 2006.
This championship grabbed immense media attention, so Jamie Gold became a household name. Even 18 years later, this victory remains one of the most memorable.
Scott Montgomery (2008 WSOP Main Event)
The 2008 World Series Of Poker tournament was a wild ride full of unexpected twists and turns.
During the final table, Scott Montgomery, a short-stacked player, went all-in against Peter Eastgate. With a 96% winning chance, Montgomery managed to flop a strong hand, leaving Eastgate on the brink of elimination. The tension was noticeable as the cards were dealt. The odds seemed to swing more with each card in Montgomery’s favor.
All he needed was to avoid a six on the river. This was when the game took an impressive turn. So, here comes the twist! As it looked like Montgomery had secured the pot, the unthinkable happened.
The river card turned the tables for both Montgomery and Eastgate. A six landed on the river, giving Eastgate a full house and a clear road to WSOP victory.
Once again, the incredible hand showed the unpredictable nature of this classic card game. What seemed a straightforward gaming session became a heart-stopping climax.
Joe Cada (2009 WSOP Main Event)
In 2009, a young poker whiz – Joe Cada, took the poker world by storm. At just 21, he became the youngest-ever WSOP Main Event champion. His victory was a testament to his skill and determination.
It’s fair to say the 2009 Main Event had a dramatic final table featuring notable players like Phil Ivey and Darvin Moon. Cada’s calmness and calculated approach to outlasting this tough field proved that age isn’t a barrier to success.
Winning the WSOP bracelet carved Cada’s name in history and inspired a generation of young players to pursue their poker dreams.
FAQs
1. Who won the most WSOP main events?
Johnny Moss and Stu Ungar won the most WSOP Main Events. Both poker professionals claimed the championship title thrice.
2. What is the best win in poker history?
Antonio Esfandiari won the largest prize of $18.35 million at the 2012 WSOP Big One for One Drop.
Final Words
Some WSOP events have indeed been a testament to rags to riches for underdogs. These incredible victory stories are a reminder that anything is possible in poker. Sometimes, all you need is a bit of luck and a lot of skill to turn dreams into reality.
