10 facts you should know about Stu Ungar
"Fold and live to fold again".
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Photographic memory
As a kid Stu Ungar was very smart and had a photographic memory.
First win at the age of 10
Stu Ungar won his first card game tournament at the tender age of 10. The game was Gin Rummy. By the age of 14 he was the best Gin Rummy player in New York.
Teenage card game prodigy
As a teenager Ungar had already been winning enough money playing cards to support his mother and sister.
Young looks
Ungar was easily recognisable for his youthful looks and tiny stature. In his early years he sometimes couldn't even reach the table, and had to place something on his chair.
The youngest Main Event champion, three titles
The 1980 WSOP, where Stu won his first Main Event title, was also the first time he played Texas Hold'em. He became the youngest champion in history (the record has since been beaten by Phil Hellmuth, then Peter Eastgate and Joe Cada).
Ungar is the only player with three Main Event titles, all won fair and square (Johnny Moss who also has three titles to his name got his first through voting).
Blackjack
Stu Ungar was a great blackjack player and card counter. He was frequently banned from playing the game in casinos.
Cocaine addiction
Ungar first used cocaine on the advice of fellow poker players who insisted it would help him keep his concentration during marathon poker sessions. Unsurprisingly, it quickly led to serious addiction.
He was never a hustler
Ungar was famous for his super-aggresive style of play, good bluffs and crazy river calls. He was never a hustler. Personal pride in winning always meant much more to him than anything else.
He loved his daughter very much
His daughter Stefanie was often the only motivation he had to continue his battle with drugs. He desperately wanted to see her grow up.
Action maniac
Ungar was always looking for action. He would bet on anything he could.
