The major world sports rose to their esteemed positions because of two reasons: the establishment of a major attraction for the sport and the evolution of superstars to represent the sport who transcended the sport over time.  Let’s take the example of Major League Baseball in America.  We all know that baseball is now an international sport.  However, this was not always the case.

The game of baseball was invented in the mid-1800’s, and the first baseball teams and competitive league appeared on the scene in 1869.  While the game grew in popularity, its gains were measured in baby steps.  At the turn into the 20^th Century, the two major baseball leagues proposed a championship series, known as the World Series, which captured the fancy of the public.

Baseball grew in popularity but did not become the "national pastime" until the first baseball superstar came on the scene.  George Herman "Babe" Ruth became the first superstar of baseball, and he propelled the sport into an esteemed position because his persona transcended the sport.  When Ruth was asked in 1926 why he made more money than the President of the United States, he replied, "I should be paid more than the President.  I had a better year!"

The game of poker has recently been elevated to the position of a "major sport" alongside baseball, basketball, soccer, and hockey.  There is still some debate over whether to include auto racing into that category.  Poker began its rapid rise soon after the first World Championship of Poker, later known as the World Series of Poker (WSOP), was held in Las Vegas in 1970.  Television helped in its ascent as a major sport.  However, none of it would have been possible if it had not been for the charismatic personalities of some of its greatest players that catapulted poker into a major sport.

We recognize the following stars of poker as the instrumental catalysts for the recognition of poker as a major sport today: 

·        Doyle Brunson – was the first inductee on the "Walk of Fame," which is poker’s version of the Hall of Fame.  Brunson was an early star in televised poker matches in the 1970’s, and was the first back-to-back winner of the WSOP.  He is respectfully called the "Godfather of Poker."

·        Phil Ivey – is generally accredited with the recent rise in the popularity of the sport.  Still a relatively young man, he is considered to be to poker what Tiger Woods is to golf.  His aggressive manner of playing poker has been emulated by millions throughout the world.

·        Annie Duke – is generally recognized as the lady who brought women to the poker table on an equal footing with men.  Annie has had a profound effect on poker over the past ten years, and has openly stated that poker is the only sport in the world in which a woman can compete equally with a man.