We say goodbye to poker legend Doyle Brunson
Doyle Brunson was the Godfather of Poker who did a lot for the world of poker. Join us as we say goodbye and remember his many accomplishments.
We say goodbye to Doyle Brunson, the Godfather of Poker and an exceptional player. At the age of 89, this iconic figure sadly passed away on May 14.
His family released a statement that read:
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our father, Doyle Brunson. He was a beloved Christian, husband, father and grandfather. We’ll have more to say in the coming days as we honor his legacy. Please keep Doyle and our family in your prayers. May he rest in peace.”
Top wins
Brunson has been a regular at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) since 1970. Having played the game for years before starting his career in Las Vegas, it’s no surprise that this man has become a legend that all players aspire to to follow. He won 10 WSOP bracelets and more than $3 million during his career.
First WSOP Bracelet – 1976
While Brunson finished third in the Main Event in 1973, it wasn’t until 1976 that he won the Main Event and his first WSOP bracelet, taking home $220,000 in prize money.
Big win in 1977
In 1977, Brunson won another world title and a bracelet with a prize pool of $340,000. He won the title with a full house thanks to his opening hand of 10-2, which is now known as The Doyle Brunson.
No-Limit Hold’em in 1991
Doyle won his seventh bracelet in 1991, taking a $208,000 No-Limit Hold-em title.
It won over critics and grossed nearly $1.2 million in 2004
Brunson won almost $1.2 million in 2004 at the Legends of Poker WPT event. While critics argued that he was too old, Doyle showed them that his title as The Godfather was not for nothing.
Biggest WSOP Win in 2005
This WSOP legend’s biggest win came in 2005. He took first place in the Small-Handed No-Limit Hold’em Main Event, winning $367,800.
European Poker Tour 2011
The only time Brunson cashed in the EPT was in 2011. He won £9,000 in that tournament and placed 77th in the £5,000 Main Event.
Top stories
Where did the nickname “Texas Dolly” come from?
It stems from miscommunication. Jimmy Snyder, known for his show “The NFL Today,” wrote about gambling for the Las Vegas Sun. He was great friends with Doyle Brunson, who was from Texas, where gambling was frowned upon. Brunson asked Snyder not to use his real name in his articles, so Snyder called him “Texas Doyle.” An Associated Press reporter heard Snyder refer to him as “Texas Dolly” instead and misquoted the nickname in an article. It has stayed with him ever since.
T2 – Doyle Brunson’s arm
Brunson dominated the ’76 WSOP Main Event with T2 cards. He had a convincing chip lead against his amateur opponent when the fateful flop came to AJT. Brunson bet all in and his opponent called with two pair. Disaster awaited, however, when two came on the turn, giving Brunson two pair. The ten on the river made him a full house for the win.
His luck with the same hand didn’t end there. A year later, he was heads-up again, now with professional player Gary Berland. Brunson had T-2 and Berland 85. The flop was 8-5-T, Berland bet, Brunson called. The turn gave Brunson two pair and he moved all in. Berland paid. A ten on the river sealed the deal for Brunson.
The $230 million mistake
Doyle Brunson passed up a $230 million bid for his online poker room and later lost it when the FBI raided it for violating US gambling laws. He was warned about the risks of working in a gray area, but the offer was too good to pass up. He regretted his decision for years and ended his association with Doyles Room after the incident.
Doyle Brunson and the Fort Worth Weather
Doyle Brunson often told stories from his early days as a poker player, recalling that the biggest challenge was not making money, but getting it out of town unscathed.
Fort Worth, Texas was one of his haziest memories; an area known among locals for dangerous illegal poker games. There were no guarantees that one would leave the table alive; a menacing threat that Brunson could personally attest to.
“I had been a professional for a year when one night I was playing pool in a pool and the player next to me suddenly had his brains splattered all over the wall after someone came in and shot him in the head,” Brunson recalled.
He beat cancer six times
Texas Dolly was diagnosed with cancer in 1962 when he was 29 years old. Doctors found a tumor on his neck and metastases. Five doctors declared the prognosis poor and gave him only a few months to live. However, after the operation, there was no trace of cancer cells. Miraculously, Dolly has beaten various forms of cancer a total of six times since then, including squamous cell carcinoma in 2016.
His influence on poker
Doyle Brunson is not just a poker legend; he also taught the industry a lot about the game. He wrote “Super System”, considered the bible of this game, along with a number of other books, and made various television appearances during his career.
Thanks to this revered figure, poker continued to grow even further, and platforms like it RakeRace.com can offer exclusive races and chases that players enjoy. We salute this legendary figure and thank him for all that he has done, knowing that he will always be in our memories.