Nationality
Doyle Brunson was American, holding U.S. citizenship throughout his life. He was born and resided primarily in Texas and later in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Born (date and place of birth)
Doyle Frank Brunson was born on August 10, 1933, in Longworth, Texas, United States, a small town located roughly three hours west of Dallas.
Residence (current location)
Doyle Brunson resided in Las Vegas, Nevada, during his professional poker career and later years, living with his family in this prominent poker and casino hub.
Education (institution, specialization)
Doyle Brunson attended Hardin-Simmons University on a basketball scholarship and graduated with a Master's degree in Education Administration.
Children (number, ages)
Doyle Brunson had two children, Todd and Pamela Brunson, who are publicly known.
Year started playing poker
Doyle Brunson began playing poker seriously around the late 1950s to early 1960s, transitioning towards a professional poker career following his initial exposure in the 1960s.
Age when started playing
He began his serious involvement in poker in his late 20s to early 30s after his basketball career ended due to injury.
Year turned professional
Doyle Brunson transitioned fully to professional poker in the mid-1960s.
First major win (amount, tournament, year)
Doyle Brunson’s first significant tournament victory was the 1976 World Series of Poker Main Event, where he won $220,000.
Who introduced to poker / first mentor
Early in his poker career, Doyle Brunson was part of a group of Texas Rounders with Brian "Sailor" Roberts and "Amarillo Slim" Preston, who served as his peers and mentors in the poker underground scene.
First important tournament
Doyle Brunson participated in the early World Series of Poker events starting in 1970, finishing third in the 1973 WSOP Main Event as his first notable tournament experience.
Main motivation for turning pro
The primary motivation for Doyle Brunson’s transition into professional poker was the combination of a career-ending knee injury that ended his basketball prospects and the rapid financial success he found at the poker tables, where he quickly earned more money than his previous salesman job.
Initial bankroll
Early financial backing for Doyle Brunson's poker career came largely from his winnings in underground Texas games and his shared bankroll arrangements with other Texas Rounders during his road gambler years.
Poker education (courses, coaches)
Doyle Brunson’s poker education was primarily self-driven and experiential, honed by road gambling and playing with other skilled Texas players; he later formalized knowledge by authoring the influential book "Super/System" in 1978.
First sponsor/backing
Specific records of Doyle Brunson’s first formal sponsorship deal are not publicly documented, as he rose to fame before player sponsorships became common.
Total live tournament winnings
Doyle Brunson’s total live tournament winnings exceed $6 million over his career.
Number of tournament wins
He won 10 World Series of Poker bracelets (tied for third most all-time) and accumulated numerous other tournament victories across various poker events.
Number of final tables
Doyle Brunson made at least 26 World Series of Poker final tables and many more final table appearances across other tournaments.
Largest tournament win (amount, tournament, year)
His largest single tournament win was $340,000 at the 1977 WSOP Main Event.
WSOP bracelets (number)
Doyle Brunson won 10 WSOP bracelets between 1976 and 2005.
WSOP cashes (number)
He cashed 37 times at the WSOP.
WSOP final tables
Doyle Brunson reached the final table 26 times at the WSOP.
Best WSOP Main Event result
Doyle Brunson won the WSOP Main Event twice, in 1976 (1st place) and 1977 (1st place).
Super high roller results ($100K+)
No major recorded results in super high roller $100K+ buy-in events, as many such events postdate the peak of his tournament career.
High roller wins ($25K-$100K)
Doyle Brunson was known primarily for classic tournament and cash game play before the contemporary high roller events era.
Online tournament winnings
No significant known online tournament winnings, as his career was mainly pre-online poker boom.
Major online titles
No notable online tournament titles.
Poker team
Doyle Brunson was not prominently affiliated with modern poker teams or stables.
Main cash game limits
Known for playing in very high stakes cash games, including no-limit Texas Hold'em at Bellagio's Bobby's Room.
Highest stakes played
Played some of the highest cash stakes in poker history for decades, including legendary high-stakes cash games.
Notable high stakes sessions
Participated in several famous high-stakes cash sessions documented on TV shows like High Stakes Poker.
"Big Game" participation
Regular participant in renowned "Big Game" high-stakes cash games in Las Vegas.
Estimated cash game profits (if known)
Specific cash game profits not publicly disclosed, but estimated as substantial given decades at the highest stakes.
Country ranking
Considered one of the top American poker players of all time.
All Time Money List position
Ranked consistently among top positions on all-time money lists, with recognized over $6 million in tournament earnings.
Tournament ROI (if known)
Exact overall tournament ROI is not publicly calculated; extensive long career with consistent cashes and wins.
Average tournament win
Average tournament winnings per cash varies widely; major event wins ranged from $60,000 to $340,000.
ITM percentage
Doyle Brunson had a strong ITM (in the money) percentage given frequent deep runs; exact percentage not publicly detailed.
Final table percentage from cashes
Final table percentage substantial given 26 final tables from 37 WSOP cashes, around 70%.
Statistics by year (best/worst year)
Career span included peaks in the 1970s with multiple WSOP wins and steady tournament activity through early 2000s with WSOP bracelet wins in 2003 and 2005.
Main discipline (Hold'em, Omaha, Mixed games)
Primarily specialized in No Limit Texas Hold'em and Seven-Card Stud.
Format specialization (tournaments/cash/online/live)
Preferred live tournament play and high stakes cash games over online formats.
Preferred table size (6-max, full ring, heads-up)
Typically played full ring tables; also competed in short-handed events.
Known formats (NLHE, PLO, HORSE, others)
Expert in No Limit Hold'em, Seven-Card Stud, Razz, and H.O.R.S.E. mixed games.
Specialization limits
Specialized in high-limit games and elite tournament events.
Online rooms where plays
No significant documented online room activity.
Favorite casinos/locations
Preferred Las Vegas venues such as the Bellagio and other major poker rooms.
Style characterization (TAG, LAG, nitty, aggressive)
Known for aggressive yet strategic playing style with deep understanding of opponents.
Known for bluffs/traps
Renowned for expert-level bluffing, reading opponents, and strategic tricky plays.
Mathematical or intuitive approach
Used a blend of deep experience, psychological insight, and intuitive poker instincts rather than strict mathematical GTO during peak career.
Style adaptability
Highly adaptable playing style allowing success across decades of evolving poker dynamics.
Playing strengths
Legendary table presence, hand reading, strategic aggression, and tournament resilience.
GTO strategy usage
Early career predated formal GTO; later applied updated theory informally.
Poker software usage
No documented use of advanced poker software during peak career.
Television appearances (list of shows with specific episodes/dates)
Appeared on High Stakes Poker, Poker After Dark, and numerous televised WSOP broadcasts.
High Stakes Poker participation (seasons/episodes)
Regular participant and featured player on multiple seasons of High Stakes Poker.
Poker After Dark appearances (episodes/dates)
Frequent guest on Poker After Dark.
Documentary films featuring (titles and links)
Featured in poker documentaries and specials on poker history and culture.
Major publication interviews (publication names, article titles, links)
Featured in numerous poker publication interviews, including PokerNews, CardPlayer, and others.
Podcast appearances (podcast names, episode titles, dates, links)
Appeared as guest on many poker podcasts throughout career.
Own podcast/channel (name, platform, subscriber count, link)
Did not run own podcast.
Facebook (account link)
No major public Facebook page documented.
YouTube channel (name, subscriber count, link)
Legacy videos and interviews present on poker YouTube channels.
Twitch channel (name, follower count, link)
No known Twitch streaming activity.
TikTok presence (account link, follower count)
No known TikTok presence.
LinkedIn profile (link)
No known LinkedIn professional profile.
Posting frequency in social media
Low social media posting frequency during main career; legacy postings now handled by fans.
Type of content in social media
Most content related to poker strategy, tournament updates, and legacy celebration.
Current sponsors (company names, deal details if public)
Historically had few formal sponsorships; was a World Poker Tour ambassador in later years.
Sponsorship contract history (previous sponsors, dates)
No detailed early sponsorship records; WPT ambassadorship notable.
Poker site ambassadorship (site names, contract details)
Served as World Poker Tour ambassador.
Own business (business names, descriptions, websites)
No major personal business ventures publicly documented.
Poker project investments (project names, involvement details)
No public records of direct poker industry investments.
Coaching services (availability, platforms used)
No formal coaching service publicly offered.
Coaching rates (if public)
Not applicable.
Educational materials (book titles with ISBN, course names with platforms, video series titles with links)
Authored the seminal poker strategy book "Super/System" (1978) and "Super/System 2" (2004), which remain among the most influential educational poker materials ever published.
Affiliate programs (program names, partnerships)
No known affiliate partnerships.
Merchandise (product types, where sold, links)
No known personal merchandise.
Written poker books (titles, publication years, ISBN, publisher)
Author of "Super/System" (1978, ISBN: various editions), "Super/System 2" (2004).
Training series participation (series names, platforms, links)
No known training series participation.
Masterclasses and seminars (event names, dates, locations)
No known masterclasses conducted.
Coaching work (platforms used, student testimonials)
Not publicly documented.
Notable students (names if public, their achievements)
No widely known notable coaching students.
YouTube educational content (video titles, view counts, links)
No personal educational YouTube content, though many poker channels reference his strategy and legacy.
Poker publication articles (publication names, article titles, publication dates, links)
Published several articles and columns on poker in various magazines.
Magazine columns (magazine names, column titles, frequency)
Wrote regular columns on poker during career, including in prominent poker magazines.
Conference speaking (conference names, dates, topics, video links)
Spoke at poker industry events and conferences on legacy and poker strategy.
Poker scandal involvement (scandal names, details, outcomes)
No public involvement in scandals.
Accusations of unfair play (specific incidents, resolutions)
No public cheating accusations.
Casino/room conflicts (venue names, incident details)
No well-documented casino conflicts.
Legal proceedings (case details, outcomes, court documents)
No known legal proceedings.
Public disputes with colleagues (names involved, details)
No notable public disputes with players.
Tournament rule violations (tournament names, violations, penalties)
No known tournament rule violations.
Tax issues (if public, details, resolutions)
No public tax-related issues.
Poker community criticism (specific criticisms, responses)
Minor criticism related to publishing strategic information that some felt may have cost him financially, but not significant.
Response to criticism (statements, actions taken)
Doyle accepted the consequences of publishing his strategy as a contribution to the game.
Poker industry awards (award names, years, organizations)
Inducted into Poker Hall of Fame in 1988; voted most influential force in poker by Bluff Magazine in 2006.
Hall of Fame inclusion (hall names, induction years)
Member of Poker Hall of Fame since 1988.
Peer recognition (specific recognitions, award details)
Widely regarded by peers as the “Godfather of Poker” and a key influencer.
Poker publication awards (publication names, award types, years)
Received multiple awards from poker publications including Poker Hall of Fame and special honors.
Special achievements (achievement descriptions, recognition details)
First player to surpass $1 million in live tournament winnings; one of few to win back-to-back WSOP Main Events.
Records associated with name (record descriptions, verification)
Holds record for most WSOP bracelets at one time until surpassed; one of few players to win WSOP events across four consecutive years.
Contribution to poker development (specific contributions, recognition)
Revolutionized poker through teaching, authoring "Super/System," and popularizing professional poker worldwide.
Charity tournaments (tournament names, amounts raised, beneficiaries)
Participated in charity poker events though no major public records of amounts or beneficiaries.
Legacy in poker world (specific legacy aspects, community impact)
Considered a pioneering legend who shaped modern poker, inspiring generations of players.
Industry influence (specific influences, changes attributed)
Helped transform poker into a mainstream competitive sport and strategic game with his books and public persona.
Provided tournament commentary and analysis for various poker broadcasts.