What Is 1987 World Series of Poker results

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1987 World Series of Poker Main Event was won by Johnny Chan, who defeated Frank Henderson heads-up; Chan earned $620,000 for first place in the $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em tournament.

Key Facts

Johnny Chan won the 1987 WSOP Main Event on May 15, 1987
He took home $620,000 in prize money
Chan defeated Frank Henderson in the final heads-up match
The event featured 152 entrants, creating a $1,520,000 prize pool
This was Chan’s second consecutive WSOP Main Event victory

Overview

The 1987 World Series of Poker (WSOP) marked a historic moment in poker history, highlighted by Johnny Chan's back-to-back victory in the $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event. Held at Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas, the tournament drew 152 entrants, a modest but competitive field for the era.

Chan’s win solidified his status as a poker legend and contributed to the growing mainstream appeal of the WSOP. The 1987 event also featured several other bracelet events across different poker variants, showcasing the game’s diversity.

Johnny Chan won the 1987 WSOP Main Event on May 15, 1987, becoming the second player in history to win consecutive Main Events after Johnny Moss.
The $10,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournament had a total of 152 entrants, generating a prize pool of $1,520,000, with payouts going to the top 18 finishers.
Chan earned $620,000 for first place, the largest single payout of the series and a record at the time for WSOP Main Event winnings.
He defeated Frank Henderson heads-up in the final match, with Henderson taking home $235,000 as the runner-up.
This victory was part of Chan’s legendary two-year dominance, having also won in 1988, a feat later famously depicted in the film Rounders.

How It Works

The structure and rules of the 1987 WSOP Main Event followed traditional poker tournament formats that have since evolved into modern standards. Understanding key terms helps clarify how players advanced through the event.

No-Limit Hold’em: The format used in the Main Event, where players can bet any amount of their chips at any time. This format emphasizes strategy, bluffing, and risk management.
Buy-in: The $10,000 entry fee was standard for the Main Event and contributed directly to the prize pool. This high barrier limited participation to serious professionals and wealthy amateurs.
Blind Levels: Tournament blinds increased at set intervals, typically every 20–30 minutes, to ensure steady elimination and prevent games from dragging on indefinitely.
Heads-Up Play: The final stage of the tournament, where only two players remain. Chan defeated Henderson in this format, requiring superior psychological and tactical skills.
Chip Count: Players started with a set number of tournament chips, and survival depended on accumulating chips from opponents through winning hands.
Bracelet: Winners of each WSOP event received a championship bracelet, a prestigious symbol of excellence in the poker world, first awarded in 1976.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1987 WSOP Main Event compares to other notable years in terms of participation and prize money:

Year	Entrants	First-Place Prize	Winner	Notable Fact
1987	152	$620,000	Johnny Chan	Second of two consecutive wins
1988	169	$700,000	Johnny Chan	Back-to-back champion
1979	54	$210,000	Hal Fowler	First amateur to win
1990	193	$892,000	Mansour Matloubi	First non-American winner
2003	839	$2,500,000	Chris Moneymaker	Amateur winner sparked poker boom

The 1987 tournament was a pivotal moment in poker history, bridging the gap between the game’s underground roots and its eventual rise in popularity. While attendance was modest compared to later years, Chan’s consecutive wins brought media attention and inspired future champions.

Why It Matters

The 1987 WSOP results had a lasting impact on poker culture, strategy, and the perception of professional players. Johnny Chan’s victory became a benchmark for excellence and resilience in high-stakes play.

Johnny Chan’s legacy was cemented as one of the greatest poker players of all time, with his 1987 win being a cornerstone of his 10 WSOP bracelets.
The televised final table helped increase poker’s visibility on ESPN, contributing to the sport’s gradual mainstream acceptance.
Chan’s success inspired a generation of Asian-American players, breaking barriers in a predominantly Western-dominated scene.
The back-to-back wins demonstrated the importance of mental endurance and strategic consistency in long-duration tournaments.
The $620,000 prize was one of the largest in sports at the time, highlighting poker as a lucrative professional pursuit.
Chan’s 1987 and 1988 victories were later referenced in Rounders, a film that reignited global interest in poker during the 2000s.

Today, the 1987 WSOP remains a landmark event, symbolizing the transition of poker from a niche gambling pastime to a globally recognized competitive game. Its influence continues to shape modern tournament structures and player aspirations.