The Passing of Poker Legend Doyle Brunson
Doyle Brunson is a famous name in the poker world, having spent decades to advance the game as we know it. RakeRace.com mourns his passing, and what better way to honour an icon than to focus on what he’s accomplished in life? Join us as we travel down memory lane and see what made Doyle Brunson “The Godfather of Poker.”
A Full Life
Everyone in the industry knows him, as Doyle “Texas Dolly” Brunston is a superstar in the poker world. However, he wasn’t always one, and we look at his journey till the 14th of May 2023.
His Early Life
Brunston was born in 1933 in the small town of Longworth, Texas. He was an extremely athletic child and showed a talent for basketball and running. He went to a nearby college, Hardin-Simmons University, and even caught the attention of the Minneapolis Lakers.
However, Doyle was in an accident and a knee injury stopped his possible professional basketball career. Yet he didn’t let it stop him, as he finished his degree before moving on to the next great adventure.
The Start of Poker
Doyle had already played five-card draw poker before his accident, so he was familiar with the game. While working, he started playing seven-card stud poker and soon realised he had a talent for the game. It wasn’t long before he left his job and focused solely on being a professional poker player.
Brunson started with illegal poker games, travelling around various states like Louisiana, Oklahoma, and his home state of Texas to find significant games. Amarillo Slim and Sailor Roberts joined him, forming what others called the Big Three. For six years, they travelled together until they found their way to Las Vegas.
The Beginning of an Icon
Brunson was a regular at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) events before they went online. In fact, he started making a name for himself when he won third place in the 1973 WSOP tournament. Then, in 1976, he won the WSOP tournament, winning $220,000.
His popularity continued to grow over the years as he won 10 WSOP bracelets along with many other titles. He wrote the “Super System” books, which the poker world regards as its bible, and is in the Hall of Fame.
A Continued Legend
Doyle Brunson beat many opponents throughout his years, and he battled cancer since 1946, beating it into submission many times. We won’t forget the Godfather of Poker, as he changed the poker world and games like No-Limit Hold ’em forever. RakeRace.com thanks him for his years as a poker legend and commemorates his memory for years to come. While the man may have passed, the legend never will.
