It’s testament to the skill and popularity of Julius Popwell that despite dying before the WSOP was even conceived, ‘Little Man’ is still regarded as one of the greatest poker players ever.

Like many of the legendary poker players, Popwell was a born gambler, travelling the country in search of a game. And the game he specialised in was 5-Card Stud, playing in the company of other rounders like Johnny Moss and Henry Green.

Even as a teenager Popwell had the hustler instinct in him. He was an exceptional billiards player and would regularly beat men twice his age, which is how he got his nickname ‘Little Man’.