Berry Johnston – 1986 WSOP Main Event Winner

Berry won the 1986 WSOP Main Event, and placed 3rd and 5th in the1982 & 1990 respectively. He has made at least 26 final tables at the WSOP and has finished in the money at least 45 times. He has also cashed in the main event more times than any other player. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2003.

Poker players respect and admire Berry not only for how well he plays, but for how he conducts himself at and away from the table. In 1985 he was in the last 3 at the final table of the WSOP Main Event, when he got taken down by a bad beat. His dream of capturing the world title was over, it was a brutal beat at a crucial time. After that hand, Berry shook the hands of both players and wished them good luck.

Then, he walked over to his wife, who said to him, “Honey, I’m hungry. Can we go get something to eat now?” despite just being knocked out of the biggest tournament in the worst way, the unflappable Berry replied, “OK, honey, we’ll go eat if that’s what you want to do.”

As of 2005 he holds 5 WSOP bracelets, and his total live tournament winnings exceed $1,900,000

Berry’s winning WSOP hand:

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Mike Harthcock was holding A8. Berry had a big chip lead so he raised, when Mike re-raised Berry pushed all in and Mike called. Unfortunately all records of the board cards have been lost, but it is of little consequence as neither player caught even a pair, and Berry won with the high card.