Poker legend deceased: Mourning for Doyle Brunson
17.5.2023
Translation: machine translated
Ten and two. That was his hand. Doyle Brunson, named the most influential person in poker by Bluff Magazine in 2006, played his last hand and died on Sunday at the age of 89.
"The Godfather of Poker". "Texas Dolly". Or simply Doyle Francs Brunson. One of the most legendary poker players of all time died on 14 May at the age of 89 in his adopted home of Las Vegas. The news triggered a wave of sympathy in the poker world.
Brunson, who usually sat at the poker table wearing a cowboy hat, became famous on the scene back in the 1970s. For example, he was one of the handful of players invited by Jack Binon to play the first World Series of Poker (WSOP) at Binion's Horseshoe Casino in 1970 and won the world championships in 1976 and 1977 - both times with a 10 and a 2 in his hand, which turned into a full house. He took second place in 1980 and third place in 1972 and 1983.
Source: WSOP
His nickname "Texas Dolly" originally came from his good friend Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder, a now deceased sports commentator. At a time when poker was still frowned upon, Snyder referred to Brunson as "Texas Doylee" because he did not agree to the use of his real name. A member of the Associated Press misinterpreted the nickname as "Texas Dolly" - thus establishing the nickname as a running gag.
His influence on the game has spanned generations ever since: He landed a bestseller with his book "SuperSystem", which was published back in 1979. It is still regarded today as one of the most important publications on the topic of poker strategy and changed the way millions of no-limit hold'em poker players around the world think and play. Brunson was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame back in 1988.
During his career, Texas Dolly won a total of ten World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets (last in 2005) - the second most after Phil Hellmuth's 16. In the process, he earned total prize money of well over six million dollars. Dolly was able to make even more money in private cash game rounds. He never revealed exact details of his winnings and losses. He made his last public appearance in December 2022 at the "Premier Meet-up", a World Poker Tour cash game event for fans at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas. He had already ended his poker career at tournaments in 2018.
The 54th edition of the WSOP will begin on 30 May without the Godfather of Poker. The mother of all poker tournaments, the "$10,000 No Limit Hold'Em The Main Event", will take place from 3 to 17 July 2023.
Texas Dolly, your influence will be remembered and I'm sure you will be on the minds of many of the participants. The poker world will miss you.
Cover photo: Poker Go
