Season 2004

The greatest poker players from around the world have gotten together for the chance at Five-million Dollars! The Poker legends like Dan Harrington, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson , Mike Matusow, and Cyndy Violette have all returned looking to add to their historic legacy. They will be challenged by the younger likes of Erin Ness, Gavin Anderson, and David Williams. Will one of the great players of the Poker past add to their legacy, or will a "Young Gun" take over the reins which is "The World Champion of Poker.

Witness the unbelievable story of Poker player Rafe Furst. He chose to compete in the 2003 WSOP and lost an astounding Ten-Thousand Dollars in 11 Minutes! Furst is back for more and is primed for better success this time at the Poker table.

It's day 3 of the main event, and the field has been whittled down to 1,200 people. At the featured table, a dream matchup begins, Scott Fischman vs. Doyle Brunson. This is Poker's newest superstar vs. perhaps the greatest player who ever lived. Fischman, who won two bracelets in his world series of poker debut this year, wasn't even born when Brunson won his second main event title in 1978, but they battle on day three to settle the war that has been brewing throughout the World Series of Poker: old school vs. young gun. Other featured players: Annie Duke, Howard Lederer, Phil Hellmuth.

277 players remain, but only 225 will finish in the money. That sense of urgency envelopes day four of the main event. At the featured table, one of the games most aggressive and colorful figures, Gus Hansen. Also included, the incredible Cinderella Story of female poker player Erin Ness. She once thought that she would not last a day at the hailed World Series of Poker. However, the Poker stay for Ness is now getting longer each and every day. Meet the "Poker Cinderella" Erin Ness, Right Now at the World Series of Poker!

Another 90 players will see their World Series of Poker dream end as the field whittles itself down from 149 to 87. Rose Ritchie, the last female remaining in the field, tries to become only the second woman to make the final table. Mike "the mouth" Matasow is at the featured table, hoping to avoid the infamous "Mike Matasow blow-up," a self-destructive move that seems to always spell his doom. Other featured players: Dan Harrington, Josh Arieh and 21-year-old John Murphy.

From a field that started at 2,576, only 86 remain. There are only three former World Champions among them: Doyle Brunson, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson and Dan Harrington. So far, each has endured a minefield of obstacles, including bad luck, bad bets and the largest poker field in history. Can their good fortune continue? Other featured players: Josh Arieh, Marcel Luske, John Murphy, and Davin Andersson.

From 50 players down to 32. The spotlight is on Holland's Marcel Luske, one of the world's most charismatic players. After singing, joking and talking his way to a 14th place finish last year, he seeks to improve this year. In addition, Poker great Gavin Anderson explains how he was able to win a Two-Thousand-Five Hundred Dollar poker pot. He accomplished this feat at the tender age of Eight. Now older and wiser, does he have what it takes to win Five-Million Dollars?

From 32 players down to 17. It's day 6 and crunch time is upon the field as it whittles itself down to the final two tables. The chip leader is John Murphy, who at the age of 21 is the youngest player remaining in the field. Two former World Champions, Chris Ferguson and Dan Harrington are hot on his heels. This show also examines the essential antics of getting inside the head of an opponent when playing Poker.

Only 17 players remain from a record setting field of 2,576. And of those 17 players, the two biggest stars are 1995 world champ Dan Harrington and the flamboyant Marcel Luske of Holland. Each has survived a roller coaster five days of poker to reach this point, handling bad beats, wild swings and the fickle poker gods with grace and a sense of humor. The road to the final table will not be easy however, standing in their way is chip leader Greg Raymer and 21 year old phenom John Murphy. At the end of the hour, only nine players will be left standing, only nine players still in the hunt for five million dollars.

The final table. At stake: Five Million Dollars which is the richest cash prize in poker history, sports tournament history and television history. Dan Harrington comes to the final table having already accomplished one of the great feats in poker history. Last year, he bested 836 players to finish third behind Chris Moneymaker and Sam Farha. This year, he outlasted a staggering 2,567 players to make it this far. Should he win, he will join legends like Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, Johnny Moss and Stu Ungar as multiple winners of poker's most prestigious title.

The first event took place on 1 September 2004 with invitations only being extended to ten of the most well-known names on the poker tournament circuit. The winner took home a $2,000,000 prize. No other participants received prize money.