Pearson won his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet in the 1971 Limit Seven-Card Stud preliminary event. In 1973, he won two preliminary events in the WSOP. In the same World Series, Pearson won the Main Event when his A♠ 7♠ defeated Johnny Moss's J♠. With the Main Event victory, he became the first player in WSOP history to win three events in a single year. This record has since been matched by five others. He won four bracelets, two of which were in seven-card stud and two of which were No limit hold'em.