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The World Series of Poker is the biggest gaming event in the world attracting thousands of participants every year. There have been many successful players at the WSOP but a few of them really stand out. There is a small group of legends who have become the biggest names in World Series of Poker history and they are the ones who are responsible for making the event what it is today.

Johnny Moss is not only one of the biggest names in World Series of Poker History but one of the most famous gamblers of all time. Johnny Moss was involved in the WSOP from the very beginning, the event having been inspired by a poker marathon between Moss and Nick Dandolos. Moss also went on to win the first two official WSOP events. With a third victory in 1974 Johnny Moss is one of just two players to have one the WSOP three times.

The other player to have won the World Series of Poker three times was Stu Ungar. After originally beginning his career as a gin rummy player and winning several tournaments Ungar switched to poker, mainly because he had such a reputation as a gin rummy player that nobody would play him. He quickly adapted to poker and won the 1980 WSOP despite it being his first Texas Hold'em tournament. After winning again 1981 Ungar fell out of the tournament poker scene as the result of a drug problem, however after a successful rehab program he returned to poker and won the 1997 World Series.

Amarillo Slim Preston was probably the player most responsible for making the event as popular as it is today. Despite winning only four bracelets during his career it was his win in the main event in 1972 that really propelled the WSOP into the limelight. After his win Preston became something of a media darling and was a regular guest on a number of talk shows. This helped to greatly increase the popularity of tournament poker.

Doyle Brunson won the World Series of Poker main event in back to back years in 1976 and 1977 and is one of only three players to have accomplished the feat. He is also the first player to have won over $1 million in tournament play. In addition to having won the main event twice Brunson has won ten WSOP bracelets, tied for the second most all time.

Johnny Chan is the third player to have won the event in three consecutive years along with Ungar and Brunson, Moss's first win was the result of a vote not winning a tournament. Chan is also tied with Brunson for the second most WSOP bracelets with ten.

The player with the most World Series of Poker bracelets is Phil Hellmuth who has eleven. Hellmuth also holds the record for most WSOP final tables and most cashes. Although he has only won the main event once in 1989, he is regarded as one of the top players ever at the WSOP because he has been so consistently successful.