"The World Series of Poker is the bedrock of poker culture. It established the rules, the format, and the very vocabulary of tournament poker we use today. Before ESPN and the 'Moneymaker Effect,' there was the WSOP, providing a competitive yardstick for the best players on the planet. Its importance can't be overstated; it's the history book, the hall of fame, and the World Cup of poker, all rolled into one."