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Doyle Brunson, the legendary Poker Player

07 October 2008

Doyle Brunson, the legendary Poker PlayerVery few men can put the fear of God into a person while sitting in a chair, wearing a cowboy hat with a smile on their face. A throwback to the Wild West, gun slinging legends, Doyle “Texas Dolly” Brunson commands respect at a poker table. At 72 years of age, Doyle has been playing poker for over 50 years, and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Born in Longworth, Texas in 1933, Doyle Brunson grew up a gifted athlete. He played baseball and ran track for his school, but it was basketball at which he excelled. He was a member of the All-State Texas basketball team, and was actually drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBA.

But after suffering a severe accident at work, Doyle’s basketball career was cut short. After the sporting days were over, Doyle turned the focus on his education. He earned a Master’s degree in Administrative Education. It was in college where Doyle started gambling to support himself and pay tuition. After realizing he could make good money gambling, he made it a full-time job.

Doyle then began playing every underground gambling circuit during the 1950s in Texas. At the time, it was a very dangerous life to lead. The majority of players who frequented these games were pimps and thieves who never took too kindly to losing their money. Not to mention at any second you could be cheated, beaten, robbed, or arrested.

Around this time, Doyle met fellow poker players Sailor Roberts and Amarillo Slim. The three formed a partnership, and travelled together sharing a bankroll and looking after one another. The times were generous to the trio. They won money regularly, and quickly earned a reputation of being card sharks in an ocean of guppies.

In 1962, Doyle married a woman named Louise, and had 4 children. His son Todd is a very accomplished poker player in his own right. His daughter Doyla tragically died from a heart condition at just 18 years old. Due to his success through the 50s, Doyle found it difficult to receive invitations from games in Texas, so he eventually moved his family to Las Vegas where he still resides today.

Doyle’s poker achievements will forever solidify his position as one of the best all-time poker players. In 1976 and 77, he won back-to-back World Series of Poker titles. The way in which he won them is perhaps more famous than the winning itself. He was holding 10 2 in the hole on the last hand of each victory. Doyle has also finished 2nd in 1980 and 3rd in 1983.

In 2004, Doyle won the Legends of Poker No Limit Hold ‘Em event, and in 2005, he won his 10th bracelet, tying Johnny Chan for the record of most bracelets won (at the time). Doyle is one of only 22 players honored in the Poker Hall of Fame, and was among the first three honored by the WPT Poker Walk of Fame.

Tags: johnny chan, amarillo slim, doyle brunson, doyla brunson, texas dolly, longworth, minneapolis lakers, sailor roberts, world series of poker, poker hall of fame, wpt poker walk of fame,
Posted In: Poker Tournaments, Biographies, Poker Players,
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Readers Comments
jeremy - 07 October 2008
You guys should also do a piece on Johnny Chan!
pansy - 07 October 2008
That gambling bill is really annoying I totally agree.
uloia - 07 October 2008
if ever there was a more prolific poker player, it would be Doyle! An inspiration to us all and let's hope he can have some influence in changing that stupid internet gambling bill.
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