Doyle Brunson passes away
The GodFather of Poker, the first and greatest poker celebrity, Doyle Brunson has passed away aged 89.
Today the poker world mourns the loss of the biggest icon the game has ever known.
Doyle Brunson was the first celebrity poker player and remained the most famous name in the game right through the poker boom to this very day.
Details of his cause of death are unknown, but he has survived cancer four times previously.
His son Todd shared the news with the Twitter world in the early hours of this morning.
Yes I’m sorry. It’s true. RIP Doyle ðŸ™
— Todd Brunson (@ToddBrunson) May 15, 2023
It is impossible to overstate Doyle Brunson's impact on the game, poker would simply not be the industry we know today without his influence. He helped shape the World Series of Poker in the 1970s, where he won the Main Event back-to-back in 1976 and 1977. He had 10 World Series of Poker bracelets in total, which you can see below, but was even better known for being one of the greatest cash game players of all time. He was still frequenting the biggest cash games in Vegas right up until his death. When the show High Stakes Poker broke ground in televised poker, watching Doyle in his element on that show was a joy to watch.
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | $10,000 World Championship | 1st | $220,000 |
| 1976 | $5,000 No-Limit Deuce to Seven Draw | 1st | $80,250 |
| 1977 | $10,000 World Championship | 1st | $340,000 |
| 1977 | $1,000 Seven-Card Stud Split | 1st | $62,500 |
| 1978 | $5,000 Seven-Card Stud | 1st | $68,000 |
| 1979 | $600 Mixed Doubles | 1st | $4,500 |
| 1991 | $2,500 No-Limit Hold'em | 1st | $208,000 |
| 1998 | $1,500 Seven-Card Razz | 1st | $93,000 |
| 2003 | $2,000 H.O.R.S.E. | 1st | $84,080 |
| 2005 | $5,000 Short Handed No-Limit Hold'em | 1st | $367,800 |
He was also a huge influence behind-the-scenes in poker. He was one of the first ambassadors for an online poker room as the face of DoylesRoom. He is the author of the most iconic book in poker, SuperSystem, which paved the way for the poker publishing industry. He recently became an ambassador for the World Poker Tour. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1988.
Doyle is survived by his wife Louise, his son Todd and daughter Pamela.
Tributes pour in from the poker world
The poker world may be divided on many things but not on Doyle's status as the legend in the game. Soon after the news broke, the biggest names in poker started to pay tribute to 'TexDolly':
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
Twelve years ago I swapped money in Europe for money in Vegas with Ivey.
Arriving at the WSOP I walked up to Ivey, who immediately asks 'Wait do I owe you? Hoiw much?'.
'$25k', I reply. Ivey looks around and sees Doyle driving by on his scooter. 'Doyle, do you have cash on…
— Lex Veldhuis (@LexVeldhuis) 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 ♥ï¸ pic.twitter.com/IjCDrNG96c
— Phil Galfond (@PhilGalfond) May 15, 2023
Rip #DoyleBrunson. I had the pleasure of playing with him many times. He had a wicked sense of humor and always put a smile on my face. Even when he bluffed me out of a hand he did it in such a genial way, I felt like it had somehow been an honor for him to take my chips. #Legend pic.twitter.com/Bzn9GElEFC
— Jennifer Tilly (@JenniferTilly) May 15, 2023
Man, really sad day in the poker world with the passing of Doyle Brunson. The man WAS poker - the ultimate icon of the game, who likely spent more days at the felt than any other person in history.
Rest in peace sir â¤ï¸ pic.twitter.com/DLsJNPisZ6
— Liv Boeree (@Liv_Boeree) 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! 😪â¤ï¸ðŸ™ðŸ½ pic.twitter.com/e9YMCnYYz3
— Matt Savage (@SavagePoker) May 15, 2023
Doyle Brunson is the only man that could imitate Phil Ivey and make him laugh pic.twitter.com/ic0JRcuUgZ
— Jeff Boski (@ICuRaRook) May 15, 2023
R.I.P to the legend Doyle Brunson, you will be very missed 😓 a sad day for the poker world pic.twitter.com/yQXNDNI4Gu
— LEGION | Joey Ingram 🉠(@Joeingram1) 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
Rest In Peace Doyle Brunson.
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