The World Series of Poker first offered a women's only event in 1977. And every year since, the WSOP has been proud to offer an event exclusively for the ladies and with a prestigious gold bracelet on the line.

At the 40th Annual event this year, the ladies-only event is slated for Sunday, June 7 at 12 noon with a $1,000 buy-in for the No Limit Hold'em Ladies World Championship.

Since 2005, the event has been and remains a $1,000 buy-in No Limit Hold'em tournament.

However, the event originally started out as a Seven Card Stud tournament, with the buy-in $100.

While the game of choice offered was Seven Card Stud from 1977 through 1999, the buy-in has only been at $1,000 since 1992. From 1982 through 1991, the ladies event had a $500 buy-in. From 1979-1981 it was $400 and in 1978 the buy-in was $200.

In 2000, the game variation changed for the first time in the event's history, offering a half Limit Hold'em, half Seven Card Stud event. This event format stayed constant through 2003.

In 2004, the ladies event was just a Limit Hold'em tournament. In 2005, it switched to No Limit Hold'em, where it has stayed.

Here's a look at the last decade of the ladies event. As the WSOP goes, so does the ladies event.

2008 - Svetlana Gromenkova ... $224,702
2007 - Sally Anne Boyer ... $262,077
2006 - Mary Jones ... $236,094
2005 - Jennifer Tilly ... $158,335
2004 - Hung Doan ... $58,530
2003 - Barbara Rugolo ... $40,700
2002 - Catherine Brown ... $39,880
2001 - Nani Dollison ... $41,130
2000 - Nani Dollison ... $53,200
1999 - Christina Pie ... $34,000

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by Seth G. Palansky
Sports & Entertainment Director
Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
One Caesars Palace Drive
Las Vegas, NV. 89109-8969