The poker world is reeling from the lack of certainly one of its largest stars. Doyle Brunson, thought of the godfather of poker, died Sunday in Las Vegas. He was 89. His explanation for dying has but to be introduced.
Doyle Brunson, who died Sunday at age 89, is remembered by his followers and fellow opponents not solely as a superb poker participant however as a real Texas gentleman. (Picture: Twitter)
“It’s with a heavy coronary heart we announce the passing of our father, Doyle Brunson,” Brian Balsbaugh, his agent, tweeted on behalf of the Brunson household at 6:12 p.m. Sunday. “He was a beloved Christian man, husband, father, and grandfather. We’ll have extra to say over the approaching days as we honor his legacy. Please maintain Doyle and our household in your prayers. Might he relaxation in peace.”
“Texas Dolly,” as he was nicknamed, received 10 World Sequence of Poker tournaments, together with the Foremost Occasion in 1976 and 1977. That’s second to solely Phil Hellmuth’s 16 WSOP wins.
Brunson’s 1978 e book, “Tremendous System,” which revealed methods recognized solely to professionals earlier than its publishing, is extensively thought to be the bible of poker.
There’ll by no means be one other Doyle Brunson,” tweeted six-time WSOP champ Daniel Negreanu, certainly one of a whole lot of modern-day poker stars impressed by Brunson to dedicate their lives to the sport, on Sunday night.
“Can’t imagine at the present time has come,” five-time WSOP champ Scotty Nguyen added. “You’ll all the time be held excessive in our hearts, the person, the parable, the legend & THE GODFATHER of poker…”
First Dangerous Beat
Born in 1933 in Longworth, Texas, Brunson was a star athlete who performed basketball for Hardin-Simmons College. A foul knee harm crushed his dream of constructing the NBA, however not his spirit. Within the early Fifties, Brunson found poker and was adequate on the sport for it to fund his schooling and medical bills.
Brunson and his spouse, Louise, whom he married in 1962, resettled in Las Vegas within the Nineteen Seventies. Right here, Brunson grew to become the world poker champion, incomes hundreds of thousands whereas beating among the finest gamers on the earth in money video games. He was inducted into the Poker Corridor of Fame in 1988.
Brunson received his final WSOP bracelet in 2005. His final Foremost Occasion money was in 2013.
“Relaxation in Peace to the Greatest Legend of Them All,” commented the World Sequence of Poker’s Twitter feed. “Thanks for being the consummate participant and gentleman. Nobody will ever fill your seat.”
“’Legend’ feels insufficient,” three-time WSOP champ Phil Galfond added, crystalizing the emotions of many within the poker world. “We don’t have a phrase for what Doyle Brunson is to poker.”
