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Doyle Brunson, widely regarded as the most legendary card player in poker history with a career spanning nearly seven decades, has passed away. The poker hall of famer was 89 years old.
Brunson’s passing was confirmed by his son Todd, who was by his father’s side at a Las Vegas hospital.
“Yes, I’m sorry. It’s true. RIP Doyle.” Todd Brunson wrote on Twitter. “Thank you all for your concern, but I need to ask for everyone to respect my family’s privacy at this point.”
“It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our father, Doyle Brunson,” the Brunson family added in a statement. “He was a beloved Christian man, husband, father, and grandfather. We’ll have more to say over the coming days as we honor his legacy. Please keep Doyle and our family in your prayers. May he rest in peace.”
Brunson, known as the Godfather of Poker, was born on Aug. 10, 1933 in Longworth, Texas. He was a standout athlete, excelling in both track and field, as well as basketball. In fact, he was being eyed by the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBA before a devastating work injury ended his sports career.
He initially turned his attention to teaching, but realized he could make a lot more money, as well as his own hours, by playing poker.
After years on the road with “Amarillo” Slim and “Sailor” Roberts, playing in dangerous, illegal games often set up by members of organized crime, Brunson finally settled down in Las Vegas.
He was there in 1970 at the start of the World Series of Poker and went on to win an incredible ten gold bracelets, which is tied for second all-time with Johnny Chan and Phil Ivey, behind Phil Hellmuth’s 16 wins. His run included back-to-back main event wins, in 1976 and 1977, in which he famously took down both events holding 10-2.
Brunson was also the author of Super/System, which was considered poker’s bible when he self-published it back in 1978.
Despite his age, Brunson remained active in the poker world up until his death. A few years ago he stated that he was planning to keep playing, “as long as I can get to the table.”
“It’s been a great life,” Brunson told Card Player back in 2018. “I was consumed with being an athlete when I was young and was going to make basketball my career. When I busted my leg, that was the end of that. I turned to poker as a way of being still able to compete, and it’s been great. You can’t find many things in which a guy that is 84 can still compete against guys in their 30s. It has meant a lot to me. My competitive nature drove to keep contending, and poker was the vehicle that allowed me to do that. I’m just thankful for it. I’ve had a lot of blessings in my life, survived a lot of hard times. But, I’m still here.”
Although he admitted that he no longer had the stamina for tournaments and didn’t want to leave his wife for long, he was still regularly competing in cash games, including PokerGO’s High Stakes Poker show. In the summer of 2022, he was signed as a brand ambassador for the World Poker Tour.
In recent years, there have been a handful of film and documentary projects announced about Brunson’s life. In March, he was in attendance at the official unveiling of the Horseshoe on the Las Vegas Strip, which is the new home of the WSOP.
Brunson is survived by his wife Louise, whom he married in 1962, as well as his children Todd and Pamela.
The Poker World Reacts
Rest in Peace to the Biggest Legend of Them All. Thank you for being the consummate player and gentleman. No one will ever fill your seat. pic.twitter.com/riE35PCrQh
— WSOP – World Series of Poker (@WSOP) May 15, 2023
Poker lost its biggest Legend today: @TexDolly. He inspired 3 generations of poker players w his play, his award winning book “Super System,” and his fabulous style and grit. Doyle always played hard: the man absolutely hated losing!! Doyle ruled the high stakes cash games in Las… pic.twitter.com/L4CKzvzbIF
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) May 15, 2023
Legend
There will never be another Doyle Brunson
Doyle was @RadioAmanda favorite player by a mile
He will be missed by many, the Godfather of Poker#RIPDoyle pic.twitter.com/Y88BsrDhhP
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) May 15, 2023
Yes, Doyle Brunson was the Legend of Poker. But to me, he was more of a father. I will miss him dearly. My prayers go out to Louise, Pam and Todd.
I Love You Doyle. Rest in Peace to the Greatest!!— Jennifer Harman (@REALJenHarman) May 15, 2023
can’t believe this day has come – you will always be held high in our hearts, the man, the myth, the legend & THE GODFATHER of poker baby! Mr Brunson, you made poker what it is baby! thank you for what you give to all of us baby! RIP Mr Doyle Brunson THE GODFATHER OF POKER pic.twitter.com/TiwzjQfhCi
— Scotty Nguyen (@TheScottyNguyen) May 15, 2023
I’m so lucky I had the opportunity to truly understand Doyle’s greatness by sitting across the table from him.
“Legend” feels inadequate.
We don’t have a word for what Doyle Brunson is to poker.
Rest in Peace pic.twitter.com/IjCDrNG96c
— Phil Galfond (@PhilGalfond) May 15, 2023
The first time I met Doyle was 15 years ago. He was gracious, funny, and kind.
The last time I had the honor of playing #poker with him was last year, and this is how I’ll remember him: sharp as ever and had me in awe of his presence until the end. Legends never die.#RIPDoyle pic.twitter.com/uJ3e3UKAjy
— Maria Ho (@MariaHo) May 15, 2023
Doyle Brunson has died. He was and remains poker’s largest legend. Personally, happy memories of good times and adventures help soothe my intense sadness — as hopefully is the case for his family and friends worldwide, too. Doyle was 89.
— Mike Caro (@MikeCaro) May 15, 2023
The only man I think I ever snuck a picture of because I was in awe to be at the same table as him. Rest in peace Doyle. pic.twitter.com/MpjAtf2AqA
— Ben Lamb (@BenbaLamb) May 15, 2023
During the Big Game there was rodeo convention next door. The airconditioning was blasting to avoid the flies from coming in the studio.
Someone mentioned it was a bit chilly. Doyle (stuck a bunch): ‘Well I’m warm as f****ing toast.’
Glad I got to play with him. RIP, Doyle. pic.twitter.com/XYC3HuzU6K
— Lex Veldhuis (@LexVeldhuis) May 15, 2023
While I don’t always look forward to small talk about poker with people who don’t play poker, one thing that’s always been a joy to say is “I’ve played with Doyle Brunson!” when asked if I’ve played with anyone famous. I found his sharpness at his age to be incredible too. RIP
— Brian Hastings (@brianchastings) May 15, 2023
Your loss is felt by many. Rest In Peace to the legendary Doyle Brunson. pic.twitter.com/2VIdvJ0qpz
— Horseshoe Las Vegas (@HorseshoeVegas) May 15, 2023
Can not express in words at this time how much I have been inspired by Doyle over my adult life and how blessed and honored I have felt to get to sit at the same table with him day in and day out and truly get to know the man in a way that few will ever get to. Heartbroken..
— Scott Seiver (@scott_seiver) May 15, 2023
RIP Doyle. Original legend of the game. Still remember the hype from my first home game every time T2o would get rolled over. pic.twitter.com/c4u2QaGTwm
— Darren Elias (@DarrenElias) May 15, 2023
The ultimate GG to Doyle Brunson. What a legend. Not just in how great of a player he was but also his unrivaled longevity in the game and how kind of a person he was.
If there was ever someone to look up to in how they carried themselves and treated other people, Doyle was as…
— Faraz Jaka (@FarazJaka) May 15, 2023
Remember that Doyle Brunson’s first and only retirement from the WSOP came not because the game had passed him by, but because he needed to be with his wife, Louise.
A devoted family man who just so happened to have the biggest impact on poker. May his memory be a blessing.
— Jeff Platt (@jeffplatt) May 15, 2023
Condolences to @ToddBrunson and family. Doyle was universally loved and respected in the poker world and competed at the highest levels for 40+ years as well as maintained a strong family life. What a fantastic legacy he leaves all of us in the poker world
— Ari Engel (@AriEngelPoker) May 15, 2023
I’m forever grateful for Doyle’s contribution to the poker world. I definitely wouldn’t be where I’m at today, if not for him growing the game. He will always be one of my idols!
Poker world will never be the same! #godfatherofpoker
— Joshua Arieh (@JoshuaArieh) May 15, 2023
Chip and Doyle in paradise. I hope they don’t break all the games before i get there in around 50 years #ripDoyle
— Max Pescatori (@maxpescatori) May 15, 2023
Grew up religiously watching poker. Doyle was a childhood hero who I grew up often pretending to be along with a host of others as I dealt myself 9 face up hands to play against each other in my bedroom. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/G4U9oH8Lur
— Daniel Zack (@Dan__Zack) May 15, 2023
RIP to a true legend, a bridge between three eras of gambling history. Doyle Brunson played poker with Titanic Thompson, who played with Arnold Rothstein. He saw it all and stayed in action for over 70 years. pic.twitter.com/POkeBGpomz
— David Hill (@davehill77) May 15, 2023
No matter what happens the rest of my poker career, I am lucky to have had the privilege to play with Doyle Brunson. #ripTexasDolly
— Ada Friedan (@AdamFriedman119) May 15, 2023
Doyle Brunson, 1933-2023
World Series of Poker champion, 1976 & 1977
1976@unlvsc pic.twitter.com/yrPeIgbMob
— Vegas Visual (@vegas_visual) May 15, 2023
#RIPDoyle pic.twitter.com/lQ52Tt4MPZ
— Brian Balsbaugh (@Balsbaugh) May 15, 2023
Woke up in Europe to 100’s of messages, you can tell the legend of a man by the impact he’s made on so many and certainly he’s done that for me and my family in my 30 years in this game. Rest in peace Doyle Brunson! pic.twitter.com/e9YMCnYYz3
— Matt Savage (@SavagePoker) May 15, 2023
Hard to believe Doyle is gone. He’s ALWAYS been there. He was always accommodating to me. Kind, but with a poker fierceness just under the surface that made it seem like he was always ready for a game- he probably was. It seems hollow to just say, “Thanks.” Man, without him…
— Lon McEachern (@lonmceachern) May 15, 2023
*Photo credit PokerGO / Enrique Malfavon
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