Godfather Of Online poker Doyle Brunson Leaves Long lasting Legacy

The poker world lost a legend on May 14 when Doyle Brunson cashed in his chips one last time. Known as the Godfather of Poker, Brunson was a world-renowned figure who built his legend playing illegal poker games across Texas before solidifying his tough image at tables in Las Vegas and beyond. He was 89.

Brunson actually wrote the book on poker, many in fact. His “Super System” is the bible of poker enthusiasts. His tough exterior, complete with guns he regularly strapped to his sides, masked a gentle spirit. However, Brunson’s last tweet urged people to take on life with guns blazing.

“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow, what a ride!'”

Brunson confronted countless tooth brushes with dying over the years

Brunson made his name playing live poker around the world. Nevada poker players, however, can play from the comfort of their homes on WSOP.com Nevada, operated by Caesars Interactive Entertainment. Players can compete against others in Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey for real money 24 hours a day, every day.

Brunson’s family released a statement after his death on Sunday.

“It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our father, Doyle Brunson. 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 us in your prayers. May he rest in peace.”

He leaves behind his wife, Louise, and his two children, Pam and Todd.

Brunson was almost a legendary figure in the world of poker, even though he was a regular at poker tournaments, many of them televised. The fact that Brunson survived until 89 is an achievement in itself. He battled against death countless times from a young age playing in illegal poker games in Texas all the way through multiple bouts with cancer as he got older.

An unfortunate crash launched a famous poker profession

In high school, Brunson was focused on athletics. In 1950, he set his school record for a mile run, but he earned a scholarship to college playing basketball. However, after breaking his leg in two places while working a summer job, Brunson was forced to find a competitive outlet outside of sports.

He soon discovered that he was pretty good at poker. At that time, it wasn’t a respected profession, Brunson told the Las Vegas Review Journal.

“When I started, you were a second-class citizen. If you were a poker player, they equated you with being a drug dealer or some kind of mobster. To see it evolve like this to where people do respect the poker players today as a profession, that’s quite a transition. I’m thankful I was a part of it, and all my friends – most of them have passed away now – we played a big part in building all this. It’s rewarding to see it.”

Aside from its poor reputation, playing poker could be downright dangerous in those days, Brunson wrote on Twitter.

“I’ve been robbed at gunpoint six times. We were playing in a country house outside of Austin. We had two games going when windows started breaking all across the house and seven armed robbers came in. They lined everyone up against the wall with our pants down. Hijackers usually pick on the biggest guy. That was me. The instigator asked me who ran the game. I said I didn’t know and he hit me in the stomach with his shotgun. He asked me again and got the same answer. He put the shotgun right between my eyes and asked again. I told him, ‘that guy, over there, in the green shirt.'”

Despite these experiences, Brunson continued playing, and poker worked its way out of dingy, dark backrooms into bright casinos across Nevada. By the early 1970s, Las Vegas became the epicenter of all things gambling. Brunson practically lived at poker tables in Vegas for the next five decades.

Brunson won WSOP Main Occasions in 1976-77

In 1970, when Brunson was 37, he was one of the seven players to participate in what became the first World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. Brunson played against such legendary figures as Amarillo Slim, Carl Cannon, Crandell Addington, Johnny Moss, Puggy Pearson, and Sailor Roberts. Moss was ultimately the champion of the tournament at Binion’s Horseshoe.

That marked the beginning of the popularization of poker in Las Vegas. Players flocked to Las Vegas from around the world to challenge Brunson and others, eager to see if they had what it took to gamble professionally. And from the sound of things, Brunson and his fellow players rarely shied away from a challenge.

Brunson won countless poker games over his long career, amassing millions of dollars in winnings. He achieved the remarkable feat of winning back-to-back WSOP Main Events in 1976 and 1977, a distinction that still sets him apart as one of only three players to accomplish this.

In addition to his poker success, Brunson became an acclaimed author. He penned several popular books on poker, including his best-seller, “Super System: A Course in Power Poker.”

Poker globe talks about Brunson’ s enduring legacy

Along with Brunson’s passing, the poker world came out to pay respect to the man they call the Godfather of Poker.

Scotty Nguyen, who has won the World Series of Poker five times, posted a message from his own account.

“You will always be held high in our hearts, the man, the legend, the story & THE GODFATHER of poker baby! Mr. Brunson, you made poker what it is baby! Thank you for what you’ve given us baby! R.I.P. Mr. Doyle Brunson THE GODFATHER OF POKER.”

Phil Hellmuth, who sat across the poker table from Brunson countless times, took to Twitter to express his respects.

“Poker lost its greatest Legend today: (Doyle Brunson). He inspired three generations of poker players with his play, his top-rated book ‘Super System,’ and his fabulous style and tenacity. Doyle always played hard: the man absolutely hated losing!! Doyle dominated the high stakes cash games in Vegas for five decades!! Doyle was married to the love of his life, Louise, for 62 years. Goodbye – and rest in peace – to the most beloved poker player in history.”

Daniel Negreanu joked on Twitter that Brunson was his wife’s favorite poker player.

“Legend. There will never be another Doyle Brunson. Doyle was (Amanda Negreanu)’s favorite player by a mile. He will be missed by many, the Godfather of Poker.”

Jennifer Harman, a winner of two WSOP bracelets, called Brunson a father figure in her life.

“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!!”

WSOP officials also released a statement.

“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.”

Brunson summed up their life much better than anyone else can

Brunson told Card Player in 2018 that he had no regrets in his life.

“It’s been a great life. I was set on becoming 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 still being able to compete, and it’s been great. You can’t find many things where a man who is 84 can still compete against men in their 30s. It has meant a lot to me. My competitive nature drove me to keep competing, 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.”

Brunson told the Review Journal how he should be remembered.

“There have been a lot of great players over the years, and it’s been debated who’s the best player and all. But I think my legacy will be that I probably played at the high levels longer than anyone else.”