A few years ago, I was invited by Binion's to bring "The Seniors" World Championship of Poker no-limit hold'em tournament to the WSOP downtown at the old Binion's Horseshoe hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was invited by Binion's to be inducted into their personal Poker Players Hall of Fame-however, there was a condition! They said I would have to wait until after I was dead-because the rules had changed and they were only putting poker players into their personal poker players hall of fame after their death.
For this reason and a few others, I have arranged for "The Seniors" World Championship of Poker/Poker Players Hall of Fame inductees, when at all possible, to be honored by inducting them into "The Seniors" WCOP/ Poker Players Hall of Fame while they are still alive.
I told Binion's that I could wait on that honor-because I had a few more hands to play. But Binion's did say to me that it would be the first and the last time that a tournament in the World Series of Poker would be named for a player---
"THE SENIORS" WCOP @ THE WSOP At the inaugural appearance of "The Seniors" WCOP at the Series, there were 340 seniors who entered the event. John Bonneti was inducted into "The Seniors" WCOP/ Poker Players Hall of Fame at the opening ceremonies which were held just before the first card was put into the air. Jay Heimowitz won the inaugural event and was awarded the WCOP/WSOP gold bracelet and had his name engraved on the permanent Oklahoma Johnny "The Seniors" trophy, the Golden Eagle. Oh, yes, Jay also took home more than $115,000. The Seniors" WCOP championship trophy- The Golden Eagle-remained on display all year long in the Binion's Horseshoe poker room, but it has been stolen or lost in the sale of the World Series of Poker to Harrah's.
The following year at "The Seniors" @ the Series, "The Seniors" WCOP/Poker Players Hall of Fame recognized and honored Jay's victory and lifelong poker accomplishments by inducting him as the 44th member of "The Seniors"WCOP/ Poker Players Hall of Fame. Jay exceeded all of the requirements of membership in "The Seniors"WCOP/ Poker Players Hall of Fame, and it was a pleasure to induct this outstanding gentleman.
At the induction, Amarillo Slim had a few words to say, so I had to cut my remarks short. When Slim and I start talking, it takes a while. All in all, it was a great ceremony. Then, the next year, we set another record-There were 396 of "The Seniors" who played no-limit hold'em in "The Seniors" IX World Championship of Poker. The first day's action narrowed the field down to 39 players, who returned the next day to complete "The Seniors" tournament. Bill Swan from Wichita Falls, Texas, playing in his first "The Seniors" World Championship of Poker, won the gold bracelet and will have his name engraved on the Golden Eagle. Bill also took home $134,000.
My good friend of many years, Mike Sexton, was just old enough to play in that year's "The Seniors" WCOP/ WSOP tournament. Mike had to settle for second place, but his loss was soothed by more than $68,000 in prize money. Mike told me later that he was going to follow me around and play in all of "The Seniors"WCOP events.
"The Seniors" World Championship of Poker @ the WSOP paid 36 places. For the names and finishing positions of "The Seniors" players, go to my website: www. seniorpoker.com.
This last year, 2005, at the NEW World Series of Poker out at the Rio, I was honored to host a new record number of "The Seniors" WCOP poker players-825! Yes, that's right-It has grown a little bit... Go to my website-www.ok-j.com. It is a free site-just sign my guest book and come on in. Go to the photo room and take a look at a lot of my pictures from years past, and look at the final table pictures of "The Seniors" WCOP at the WSOP. My good friend Paul McKinney became the oldest player to ever win a WCOP/WSOP Gold bracelet, and I have agreed with Mr. Gary Thompson, director of the World Series of Poker, that Mr. Paul Mckinney, who will be 81 years young, will be inducted into "The Seniors" WCOP/Poker Players Hall of Fame at the opening ceremonies of this year's "The Seniors" at the Series on July 12, 2007.
Until next time, remember to Stay Lucky!
