There are great news stories already developing for the 2008 World Series of Poker and there will be plenty more to come. One of the most important pieces of news, one that will become a part of history, involves the untimely passing of poker legend David "Chip" Reese.
The Chip Reese Memorial Trophy
For the first time ever, and presumably to continue for the history of the event, the winner of the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. championship will receive the Chip Reese Memorial Trophy. The $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event was introduced in 2006 as a "Player's Championship," in response to the complaints that the traditional no-limit hold'em championship was diluted by online satellite players. It was hoped that the high buy-in and requirement of expertise in multiple games would produce a true champion. To the delight of poker fans everywhere, the first event was won by Chip Reese, who was already largely regarded as one of, if not the, greatest poker player of all time.
About Chip Reese
Chip Reese stopped off in Vegas on his way to Stanford Law School and never made it to California. He became so successful in such a short time playing poker in Las Vegas that he knew he had found his calling. Reese was responsible for the seven card stud section of Doyle Brunson's famous poker compilation, Super/System. He won three WSOP bracelets in his career, and speculation is that he would have won many more if he had played tournaments consistently throughout his entire career, rather than only sporadically.
