Poker legend Doyle Brunson, one of the most influential and iconic figures in poker worldwide, died on May 14 in Las Vegas. This has been communicated by Brian Balsbaugh, Brunson’s agent, at the wish of the family through his Twitter profile, where it has been confirmed that the man known as the “Godfather of Poker” has passed away in the city that saw him become a living legend of the game.
A poker icon of the 70’s
Doyle Brunson started to become a reputable player in the 70s, when he began to stand out thanks to his victories in the WSOP, in whose Main Event he was crowned world champion in 1976 and 1977. He was, and has been to this day, one of the few players to revalidate the title of champion in the World Series of Poker, increasing his legacy and immediately becoming one of the greatest figures that the poker world has seen forged.
Brunson managed, throughout his career, to win a total of 10 WSOP tournaments, a record that places him as the most prolific player in the World Series of Poker behind only Phil Hellmuth, who still holds the record with 16 bracelets.
Doyle Brunson earned $1 million in prize money from his titles, and continued to enjoy poker when he was already an established figure, bringing experience, experience and class to numerous live poker games at the most prestigious championships in recent decades.
Doyle Brunson forged his legend in the cash games of Las Vegas in the 50’s. Two decades later, he gave a twist to the concept of strategy in poker thanks to his book “Super System”, published in 1979, which delved into strategic aspects that until then were little known, shaping numerous concepts and bases of poker strategy that, until then, went unnoticed.
At the forefront of a game he truly loved, Texas Dolly, as many knew him, ended up gaining worldwide recognition thanks to his inclusion in the Poker Hall of Fame, of which he has been a member since 1988. A small symbolic footprint not to forget the enormous legacy he leaves behind, and which will perpetuate the name of one of the most iconic poker figures of all time.
A united community paying tribute to Doyle Brunson
Major international poker figures, such as Phil Hellmuth or Scotty Nguyen, have used their official Twitter channels to dedicate a few words to Texas Dolly and the long shadow he has left behind him. Players who have had the good fortune to share a table with Brunson and who know well the man who was under the characteristic cowboy hat he usually wore to the games.
For Phil Hellmuth, “poker has lost its greatest legend”. He recognizes Brunson’s extraordinary competitiveness, stating that “he always played hard, he hated to lose”, and acknowledging the importance of the legacy he leaves behind as the man who “dominated cash games in Las Vegas for 50 years”.
Scotty Nguyen was saddened by the news of his death: “I can’t believe this day has come – you will always be at the top of our hearts. The man, the myth, the legend and THE Godfather of poker, baby! Mr. Brunson, you made poker what it is, thank you for everything you gave us,” paying tribute to Brunson’s importance throughout his career, and recognizing him as one of the players who shaped the poker world, making the game what it is today.
Such is the relevance of Brunson and the great void he has left behind him, that even figures outside the poker world have dedicated words of regret and admiration to his figure. This is the case of actor James Woods, one of the actors who starred in Martin Scorsese’s movie “Casino”, who has acknowledged being heartbroken by the death of the best poker player who has ever lived.
From EasyPPPoker we join the many expressions of respect and sorrow for the loss of Doyle Brunson, one of the great poker references at many levels worldwide, and we accompany the whole family in these difficult times.
Requiescat In Pace, Doyle Brunson.