We all knew this day would come eventually, but every day we hoped it wasn’t today… but it is. Doyle Brunson, the legendary godfather of poker, has died. He was 89 years old.
I was honored and thrilled to meet Doyle at industry events when his Doyle’s Room poker site worked with us years ago. He was the same exact man in person as you saw on television. During one of our meetings, Doyle even let me wear one of his famous cowboy hats while we filmed… just to be funny. He was that sorta guy.
Known as Texas Dolly, Brunson was a prominent figure in the world of poker and played a crucial role in popularizing the game among the masses. Beginning in 1976, and continuing all the way to 2005, he achieved impressive feats by winning 10 World Series of Poker bracelets, which included consecutive victories in the $10,000 no-limit hold ’em main event in 1976 and 1977.
Leveraging his early triumphs at the WSOP, he ventured into the realm of authorship, releasing the groundbreaking strategy guide “Super System” in 1978. With over 600 pages, the book provided profound insights into poker from a professional’s perspective, making it one of the first of its kind to be accessible to a wider audience. In 2005, Doyle Brunson followed up with a sequel titled “Super System 2.”
Even into his 80s, Brunson continued to participate in high-stakes games as the landscape of televised poker shifted towards online streaming. He often emphasized the importance of maintaining an active and playful spirit, proclaiming, “We don’t stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing.”
Upon the news of his passing, Doyle Brunson was warmly remembered and celebrated by members of the poker community, who recognized his significant contributions to the game. Brunson was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1988. He is survived by his wife Louise and children Todd and Pamela.