Nationality
American, United States citizen.
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Born (date and place of birth)
March 28, 1951, Centerville, Ohio, United States.
Residence (current location)
Last known residence was Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.
Education (institution, specialization)
Attended Dartmouth College, where he majored in economics and was involved in debate and freshman football.
Children (number, ages)
Known to have children, but no detailed public information on number or ages.
Year started playing poker
Early 1970s, with documented professional play by 1978.
Age when started playing
Began playing poker seriously in late teens to early 20s.
Year turned professional
Transitioned to professional poker in early 1970s.
First major win (amount, tournament, year)
1978 World Series of Poker Seven Card Stud Split event, winning $19,200.
Who introduced to poker / first mentor
No specific mentor documented; Doyle Brunson was a close associate and collaborator who influenced his career.
First important tournament
First major known participation was at 1978 WSOP.
Main motivation for turning pro
Early success and significant cash game winnings in Las Vegas motivated full-time professional poker career.
Initial bankroll
Early bankroll reportedly grew rapidly through winning a high/low split game in Las Vegas, reaching $60,000 quickly.
Poker education (courses, coaches)
Self-taught with practical experience; contributed to Doyle Brunson’s Super/System on Seven-Card Stud strategy.
First sponsor/backing
No sponsorships documented given era and poker industry state at the time.
Total live tournament winnings
Approximately $3.9 million in live tournament earnings.
Number of tournament wins
3 WSOP bracelets and multiple other recognized tournament titles.
Number of final tables
Multiple final tables at WSOP events and major tournaments.
Largest tournament win (amount, tournament, year)
$1,716,000 winning the 2006 WSOP $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship.
WSOP bracelets (number)
3 (1978 Seven Card Stud Split, 1982 Seven Card Stud, 2006 $50,000 H.O.R.S.E.).
WSOP cashes (number)
At least 23 WSOP money finishes.
WSOP final tables
Multiple WSOP final table appearances.
Best WSOP Main Event result
23rd place in the 1989 WSOP Main Event.
Super high roller results ($100K+)
No specific super high roller event results documented.
High roller wins ($25K-$100K)
No documented high roller tournament wins in $25K-$100K range.
Online tournament winnings
No online tournament winnings; career pre-dates online poker era.
Major online titles
No recorded online titles.
Poker team
No known poker team affiliations.
Main cash game limits
Specialized in the highest stakes cash games, including seven-figure-per-hand Big Game sessions.
Highest stakes played
Played in the highest stakes cash games worldwide, notably the Bellagio Big Game.
Notable high stakes sessions
Legendary multi-million dollar sessions in Las Vegas high-stakes cash games.
"Big Game" participation
Regular participant and icon of the Bellagio Big Game.
Estimated cash game profits (if known)
Specific amounts unknown but regarded as one of the most successful cash game players ever.
Country ranking
Regarded as one of the greatest American cash game players of all time.
All Time Money List position
Not formally ranked in All Time Money List; career tournament earnings place him among top earners of his era.
Tournament ROI (if known)
Data insufficient to calculate ROI due to incomplete tournament records and cash game focus.
Average tournament win
Average prize money appears high due to wins like the $1.7 million 2006 WSOP event.
ITM percentage
Not calculable with available data.
Final table percentage from cashes
Not calculable with available data.
Statistics by year (best/worst year)
Tournament results span from late 1970s through 2006, with tournament play becoming more sporadic as focus shifted to cash games.
Main discipline (Hold'em, Omaha, Mixed games)
Expert in Seven-Card Stud, Seven-Card Stud Split, mixed games, and H.O.R.S.E.
Format specialization (tournaments/cash/online/live)
Predominantly live cash games and mixed game tournaments.
Preferred table size (6-max, full ring, heads-up)
Played a variety of table sizes, both full ring and heads-up in mixed games.
Known formats (NLHE, PLO, HORSE, others)
Seven-Card Stud, Seven-Card Stud Split, Limit Hold’em, Omaha, H.O.R.S.E., and other mixed games.
Specialization limits
Highest stakes cash games.
Online rooms where plays
No online play recorded.
Favorite casinos/locations
Bellagio in Las Vegas and other high-stakes venues.
Style characterization (TAG, LAG, nitty, aggressive)
Patient, disciplined, analytical, with a strategic and balanced style.
Known for bluffs/traps
Known for a controlled, less frequent bluffing style; relied on psychological insight.
Mathematical or intuitive approach
Balanced mathematical rigor and intuitive psychology.
Style adaptability
Highly adaptive to various opponents and game variations.
Playing strengths
Game knowledge, cash game expertise, mental toughness, risk management.
GTO strategy usage
Preceded modern GTO concepts but employed strategies reflecting deep theoretical understanding.
Poker software usage
Predates poker software usage.
Television appearances (list of shows with specific episodes/dates)
Featured on televised WSOP broadcasts and High Stakes Poker.
High Stakes Poker participation (seasons/episodes)
Participated in multiple High Stakes Poker seasons.
Poker After Dark appearances (episodes/dates)
No verified Poker After Dark appearances.
Documentary films featuring (titles and links)
Featured in poker documentaries covering cash games and poker legends.
Major publication interviews (publication names, article titles, links)
Appeared in major poker publication interviews, including PokerNews and PokerListings.
Podcast appearances (podcast names, episode titles, dates, links)
No documented podcast guest appearances.
Own podcast/channel (name, platform, subscriber count, link)
None.
Facebook (account link)
No known official Facebook page.
YouTube channel (name, subscriber count, link)
No known personal YouTube channel.
Twitch channel (name, follower count, link)
No streaming activity documented.
TikTok presence (account link, follower count)
No presence documented.
LinkedIn profile (link)
No LinkedIn profile available.
Posting frequency in social media
Not applicable.
Type of content in social media
Not applicable.
Current sponsors (company names, deal details if public)
No known sponsorship deals.
Sponsorship contract history (previous sponsors, dates)
No recorded sponsorship history.
Poker site ambassadorship (site names, contract details)
No known poker site ambassador roles.
Own business (business names, descriptions, websites)
No public information on business ventures.
Poker project investments (project names, involvement details)
No documented poker industry investments.
Coaching services (availability, platforms used)
No public coaching services recorded.
Coaching rates (if public)
Not applicable.
Educational materials (book titles with ISBN, course names with platforms, video series titles with links)
Contributed to Doyle Brunson’s Super/System on seven-card stud; no separate educational releases.
Affiliate programs (program names, partnerships)
None documented.
Merchandise (product types, where sold, links)
No known personal merchandise.
Written poker books (titles, publication years, ISBN, publisher)
No authored books; major contributor to Doyle Brunson’s Super/System.
Training series participation (series names, platforms, links)
No participation recorded.
Masterclasses and seminars (event names, dates, locations)
No presentations documented.
Coaching work (platforms used, student testimonials)
No public record of coaching.
Notable students (names if public, their achievements)
No known coaching students.
YouTube educational content (video titles, view counts, links)
Not applicable.
Poker publication articles (publication names, article titles, publication dates, links)
Featured articles in leading poker publications.
Magazine columns (magazine names, column titles, frequency)
No recurring columns known.
Conference speaking (conference names, dates, topics, video links)
No public speaking engagements recorded.
Poker scandal involvement (scandal names, details, outcomes)
No scandals associated.
Accusations of unfair play (specific incidents, resolutions)
No cheating accusations.
Casino/room conflicts (venue names, incident details)
No documented conflicts in casinos.
Legal proceedings (case details, outcomes, court documents)
No legal issues reported.
Public disputes with colleagues (names involved, details)
None known.
Tournament rule violations (tournament names, violations, penalties)
No reported tournament rule violations.
Tax issues (if public, details, resolutions)
No public information.
Poker community criticism (specific criticisms, responses)
Universally respected with minimal criticism.
Response to criticism (statements, actions taken)
Not applicable.
Poker industry awards (award names, years, organizations)
Inducted into Poker Hall of Fame in 1991.
Hall of Fame inclusion (hall names, induction years)
Poker Hall of Fame inductee, 1991.
Peer recognition (specific recognitions, award details)
Highly respected by contemporaries including Doyle Brunson and Mike Sexton.
Poker publication awards (publication names, award types, years)
Posthumous WSOP award named in his honor.
Special achievements (achievement descriptions, recognition details)
Youngest player inducted into Poker Hall of Fame at age 40, winner of original $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event.
Records associated with name (record descriptions, verification)
Holds the record for the longest heads-up battle at WSOP (286 hands over seven hours).
Contribution to poker development (specific contributions, recognition)
Co-authored strategy sections in Super/System; set standards for professionalism in high stakes cash games.
Charity tournaments (tournament names, amounts raised, beneficiaries)
No public records.
Legacy in poker world (specific legacy aspects, community impact)
Legendary status as one of poker’s greatest all-around and cash game players; WSOP trophy named after him.
Industry influence (specific influences, changes attributed)
Huge influence on cash game theory and professionalism; impacted poker culture and tournament mixed-game formats.
WSOP (World Series of Poker) - all events all years
2006 | USA | WSOP | Las Vegas | $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship | 50,000 | 1st | 1,716,000 | 143 | | |||| 1982 | USA | WSOP | Las Vegas | $5,000 Seven Card Stud | 5,000 | 1st | 92,500 | | | |||| 1978 | USA | WSOP | Las Vegas | $1,000 Seven Card Stud Split | 1,000 | 1st | 19,200 | | | |||| 1989 | USA | WSOP | Las Vegas | $5,000 No Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball | 5,000 | 3rd | 46,500 | | | |||| 1993 | USA | WSOP | Las Vegas | Main Event | | 23rd | 12,000 | | |
Mixed Games Championships
2006 | USA | WSOP | Las Vegas | $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. | 50,000 | 1st | 1,716,000 | 143 | |
PLO Championships
No participation recorded.
HORSE Championships
1978 | USA | WSOP | Las Vegas | $1,000 Seven Card Stud Split | 1,000 | 1st | 19,200 | | | |||| 2006 | USA | WSOP | Las Vegas | $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship | 50,000 | 1st | 1,716,000 | 143 | |
8-Game Mix tournaments
2006 | USA | WSOP | Las Vegas | $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. | 50,000 | 1st | 1,716,000 |||
ESPN Featured Tables
Appeared on ESPN WSOP broadcasts.
Live cash game sessions (documented)
Participated and excelled in Las Vegas high stakes cash games.
High Stakes cash games
Known for multi-million dollar stakes in high-stakes cash games.
Private game participations
Participated in elite private cash games in Las Vegas.
Casino cash game sessions
Played in numerous casino cash games including Bellagio Big Game.
Some commentary contributions on televised poker events.