There have been so many outstanding poker players who have distinguished themselves in the World Series of Poker, that it can become a truly daunting experience trying to catalogue each one in a way that shows full respect for all the respective accomplishments. When you factor into this equation the fact that poker professionals come in so many different forms (that is to say, there are so many variations in terms of age, gender, race, nationality and other background features) that a quick perusal of any comprehensive list immediately indicates that poker is truly a universal sport whose appeal continues to grow on a massive level.

The World Series of Poker itself plays a tremendous role in the mushrooming popularity of this game. There is something so entertaining, even for people who do not understand the game on more than a rudimentary level, about witnessing skilled players compete with tremendous amounts of money at stake with each hand.

Yet, the true appeal of the WSOP is not based in money, but in the very vivid and fully dimensional human beings who are competing. In this regard, Berry Johnston will always be remembered as a particularly compelling champion.

It was in the 1986 World Series of Poker that Johnston won the main event with a stunning display of poker acumen. Before that, he had placed third in the 1982 WSOP and later placed fifth in the 1990 tournament. All in all, he has found himself in at least 26 final tables at the World Series of Poker and his current lifetime tally of money finishes stands at a whopping 45! He has cashed in at the main event more than any other player ever to participate in the tournament, which may be his most impressive feature.

In the year 2003 he was permanently inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame, as befits a man in possession of five WSOP bracelets. Yet, despite this long and widely varied list of accomplishments, Barry Johnston remains the same focused and humble man he was before achieving greatness. And this grounded nature of his may be the most admirable feature of all. Many younger players, particularly ones who are easily seduced by the fortunes to be made on the professional poker circuit, would do themselves a serious favor by looking at this great champion as a role model. He is a living example of the old axiom that substance wins over style any day of the week.