| 1985 WSOP Main Event Winner | Bill Smith |
|---|---|
| Runner Up | T.J. Cloutier |
| Winning Hand | 3 3 |
| Losing Hand | A 3 |
| 1st Place Prize | $700,000 |
| Number of Main Event Entrants | 140 |
Bill Smith would become the world champion of poker in 1985, the crowning jewel in his long poker career. Bill Smith had finished fifth in the Main Event in 1981, and would do so again in 1986, but 1985 was his year to shine.
The final table in 1985 held one of the legends of poker, three-time world champion Johnny Moss. However, Johnny would exit in seventh place after his A-10 was outkicked by A-J.
T.J. Cloutier took the chip lead into heads-up play with Bill Smith, but his stack would be crippled when Bill Smith doubled up thanks to his pocket kings which easily beat Cloutier’s pocket nines. T.J. refused to give in though, and he started battling back from his deficit. However, T.J. Cloutier’s run would end when he moved all-in after Bill Smith raised preflop. The two turned over their cards, T.J. holding A-3, while Bill Smith held pocket threes. Needing an ace, T.J could only watch in dism5ay as the board poured out 5-5-9-5-K. Bill Smith had won the 1985 WSOP Main Event and the $700,000 first prize.
Bill Smith would pass away in 1997.