WSOP started at a smaller level and soon it grew to become a major poker tournament in the casino and gambling industry. World Series of poker 2008 was the 39th WSOP event and had 55 events in WSOP covers all the major poker variants, including Texas Holde'm, Seven Card Stud, Omaha Hold'em, H.O.R.S.E, S.H.O.E and more.

The easiest way to get an entry into World Series of Poker is through various satellite events. World Series of Poker because of its popularity absorbs a major part of media attention.

WSOP Main Event is a major attraction followed closely by every poker player, around the world. Since 1972, the Main Event has been $10,000 buy-in no-limit Texas Hold 'Em. World Series of Poker Main Event winner gets a gold bracelet along with the winning amount. Also, the picture of the palyer is put on the Gallery of Champions.

Although, the WSOP winner is unofficially known as the World Champion, WSOP started a new trend in 2004 by launching a 'Player of the Year Award'. The award is for the player that collects maximum points in World Series of Poker. Winners of this award includes names of some of the big poker palyers like Daniel Negreanu (2004), Allen Cunningham (2005), Jeff Madsen (2006), Tom Schneider (2007) and Erick Lindergren (2008)