Legendary player Doyle Brunson passed away on Monday at 90 m year of life. The influence on the world of poker earned the American the nickname «The Godfather».
Doyle came to recognition as an ordinary guy from a large family. Brunson won a lot of money during his career — more than six million dollars. The Texas native lived up to his image even at the gaming table thanks to his tall stature and large cowboy hat. Only he was allowed to have such a colorful image.
In his youth, Doyle Brunson was actively involved in athletics and basketball, was listed in the state team. Success in sports allowed the guy to get a good education, because his parents barely had enough money to pay for education.
Brunson's basketball skills once impressed the scouts of the Minneapolis Lakers, the forerunner of today's Los Angeles Lakers. Doyle was looking forward to his NBA debut, a career in the league could be very successful. However, the guy received a terrible leg injury while working at a plaster factory. There was no chance of recovery.
During his student years, Doyle began to play five-card draw. The so-called «Russian poker». Brunson's «drifts» (that's how poker players call prize money in tournaments) began to grow rapidly. One evening he won more than a month's salary and immediately quit his job.
Then in his life there were only poker, family and many adventures, sometimes deadly. At 29, Doyle Brunson was diagnosed with cancer. He and his wife Louise had just celebrated their wedding and were expecting the birth of their first child. Doctors did not give good prognosis, but suggested surgery. Brunson courageously went to the hospital three times and got the better of the disease. Later, a similar tumor was encountered by his wife, who also defeated the disease.
The Brunsons also had a chance to face other dramas of life. At the age of 18, the eldest daughter died. In an interview, Doyle tells a journalist:
«The most important things in life don't happen at the poker table.»
The Brunson home has been robbed several times. One case turned out to be curious. Doyle, 80, had his crutches stolen. This was the reason to reconsider the views on security. Being one of the most successful players and quite a wealthy man, «The Godfather» did not hold more than $500 in cash. He also always had a gun at hand.
During his career, Doyle Brunson became a two-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) main event champion and a member of the Hall of Fame. He was the first player to win one million dollars in poker tournaments. Brunson has 10 prestigious WSOP bracelets, only another legend, Phil Hellmuth, has more.
Thousands of beginners around the world are still learning to play from Brunson's books, in particular «Super System». One of them was his own son, Todd Brunson. Seven years ago, he was also inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. The Brunsons are the first dynasty to have been so honored.
If Doyle Brunson could give us one piece of advice, he would probably say:
“You need to live your life so that one of the most losing starting hands is named after you” .
Going into the hand with 10/2 cards and winning with a full house combination is like hitting the winning ball from the center of the field in the final of the World Cup. 10/2 now and forever «Brunson's hand». It was with her help that he won two world poker championships.
