World Series 2002

*WSOP and World Series of Poker (referred to from now on as the Main Event and/or World Series)

On May 20, 2002, 631 players participated in the richest poker tournament in history, the final event at the World Series. With $6 million in prize money at stake, tensions ran high in every single hand over the five-day tournament.

Two players from PokerStars won entries in the World Series by playing in the PokerStars World Series Challenge. Using their Frequent Player Points, over 700 players competed for two week-long trips to Las Vegas, which included luxury accommodations, paid $10,000 entries in the World Series and $1,000 in spending money.

Anders Berg (known as Donald on PokerStars) drew a very difficult first table that included two-time World Champion Doyle Brunson. Struggling with very weak cards, Anders finally took a stand at the end of the first day and was eliminated, surviving about 1/3 of the field.

Mark Leah (slimmouse on PokerStars) also found few hands, but was able to hold his own until midway through Day 2. After seeing almost no playable hands the first part of the day, Mark picked up pocket 7s, received a somewhat favorable flop but was unfortunate enough to run into pocket aces.

Julian Gardner (baxi), a regular player on PokerStars, entered the World Series Challenge and didn't win, so he paid his way to Las Vegas and entered a $220 satellite. Julian parlayed his satellite win all the way to the final table. Playing heads-up with Robert Varkonyi, Julian did us all proud, walking away from the World Series with over $1.1 million in prize money for his second-place finish.