Nationality
Jack "Treetop" Straus was an American professional poker player with American nationality and citizenship status.
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Born (date and place of birth)
Jack Straus was born on June 16, 1930, in Texas, USA, specifically referred to in some sources as Travis, Texas.
Residence (current location)
Verified current residence details at the time of his poker career are not available. It is known he traveled extensively in Texas and Oklahoma as a road gambler before settling later in life.
Education (institution, specialization)
Jack Straus attended Texas A&M University, where he played basketball in his younger years. No further formal education details are publicly documented.
Children (number, ages)
No public information is available regarding Jack Straus's children, their number, or ages.
Year started playing poker
Jack Straus began playing in World Series of Poker events in the early 1970s, with his first WSOP Main Event participation noted in 1971.
Age when started playing
He began serious poker involvement approximately in his early 40s, considering he was born in 1930 and started WSOP appearances around 1971 (age about 41).
Year turned professional
The early 1970s appear to mark his transition to professional poker status, with active participation in high-profile WSOP tournaments.
First major win (amount, tournament, year)
Jack Straus's first significant tournament victory was his 1973 WSOP bracelet win in the $3,000 Deuce to Seven Draw event, earning $16,500. His most famous major win was the 1982 WSOP Main Event, winning $520,000.
Who introduced to poker / first mentor
No verified information about a specific mentor or who introduced Jack Straus to poker is publicly documented.
First important tournament
His first important tournament participation recorded is the 1971 WSOP Main Event, the first year the freezeout format was adopted in the event.
Main motivation for turning pro
While specific personal motivation is not documented, Straus’s early career as a Texas road gambler suggests motivation driven by a passion for high-stakes poker and competitive road gambling culture.
Initial bankroll
There is no verified documented information on Jack Straus’s starting bankroll or early financial backing arrangements.
Poker education (courses, coaches)
Formal poker education such as courses or coaching was unlikely or undocumented for Straus, consistent with players of his era who typically learned through live experience and road play.
First sponsor/backing
There are no records indicating sponsorship deals for Jack Straus, as sponsorships were less common during his playing period.
Total live tournament winnings
Jack Straus’s total live tournament winnings are estimated around $597,000 based on WSOP cashes, including his 1982 Main Event win, with some sources citing just over $750,000 career earnings at the time of his death.
Number of tournament wins
He won two WSOP bracelets: the 1973 $3,000 Deuce to Seven Draw event and the 1982 WSOP Main Event.
Number of final tables
Jack Straus made at least three WSOP Main Event final tables (1972, 1973, 1982) and several other final tables in different WSOP events; exact total final tables across all tournaments is not fully documented.
Largest tournament win (amount, tournament, year)
His largest single tournament victory was the 1982 WSOP Main Event, winning $520,000.
WSOP bracelets (number)
Jack Straus won two WSOP bracelets: one in 1973 in the $3,000 Deuce to Seven Draw and the other in the 1982 WSOP Main Event.
WSOP cashes (number)
He cashed multiple times at the WSOP with at least four documented WSOP cash finishes.
WSOP final tables
He reached the WSOP Main Event final table a minimum of three times (1972, 1973, 1982); total WSOP final table count not fully detailed.
Best WSOP Main Event result
His best World Series of Poker Main Event result was 1st place in 1982, winning the Main Event championship.
Super high roller results ($100K+)
No super high roller results ($100K+ buy-in) available since Straus played before this tournament format existed.
High roller wins ($25K-$100K)
No documented high roller wins in $25K-$100K buy-in range, as these formats were not prevalent during his era.
Online tournament winnings
No online tournament winnings recorded given his career ended prior to the rise of online poker.
Major online titles
No major online tournament titles given the pre-internet era career.
Poker team
No known poker team affiliations or sponsorships documented during his career.
Main cash game limits
No specific documented primary cash game limits or stakes known for Jack Straus; generally, road gamblers of his era played for high stakes in live cash games.
Highest stakes played
No information available on the highest stakes cash games played or limits reached, though he was known to play high-stakes games at venues like Bicycle Casino.
Notable high stakes sessions
Notably died while playing high-stakes cash games, indicating participation in significant cash sessions. Famous for a legendary bluff in No-Limit Texas Hold'em.
"Big Game" participation
No documented participation in the modern "Big Game" or similar named televised high-stakes cash games, predating these productions.
Estimated cash game profits (if known)
No publicly known estimated cash game profits or earnings are documented.
Country ranking
Country-specific poker rankings were not formally maintained during his era; however, he is recognized as a top American player historically.
All Time Money List position
No official All Time Money List position available; total career tournament earnings around $597,000–$750,000 place him as a successful but not top-ranking all-time earner.
Tournament ROI (if known)
No public tournament ROI percentage calculable due to incomplete data on buy-ins and cashes from that era.
Average tournament win
Average tournament cash amounts not documented comprehensively; largest payout was $520,000 from the 1982 WSOP Main Event.
ITM percentage
In-the-money percentage across career unavailable due to incomplete public data on non-cashing finishes.
Final table percentage from cashes
Final table percentage from cashes not precisely available; known to have multiple significant final table results at WSOP events.
Statistics by year (best/worst year)
Detailed year-by-year statistics are not publicly available for Jack Straus.
Main discipline (Hold'em, Omaha, Mixed games)
Primary poker discipline was No-Limit Texas Hold'em, particularly excelling in the WSOP Main Event; also skilled in Deuce to Seven Draw.
Format specialization (tournaments/cash/online/live)
Specialized in live tournament play, especially freezeout format WSOP events, with notable cash game experience as a road gambler.
Preferred table size (6-max, full ring, heads-up)
Played primarily in full-ring tournaments and cash games typical of his era; no specific table size preference documented.
Known formats (NLHE, PLO, HORSE, others)
Known for No-Limit Hold'em and Deuce to Seven Draw events; less documented involvement in other variants.
Specialization limits
Specific stakes and limits not documented, but known to engage in high-stakes cash games.
Online rooms where plays
No known online room participation due to era.
Favorite casinos/locations
Preferred live venues included the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles, among others frequented during his career.
Style characterization (TAG, LAG, nitty, aggressive)
Playing style characterized as fearless, aggressive, especially in heads-up poker, with a reputation as a strategic and daring road gambler.
Known for bluffs/traps
Renowned for one of the best bluffs in poker history, notably bluffing with 7-2 off suit in a high-stakes cash game.
Mathematical or intuitive approach
Known for a fearless and intuitive approach, combining aggression with creative bluffing rather than strict mathematical play.
Style adaptability
Demonstrated ability to adapt quickly in high-pressure tournament and cash game situations, notably during his 1982 comeback.
Playing strengths
Key strengths included bluffing, heads-up play, and tournament resilience exemplified by his “chip and a chair” comeback.
GTO strategy usage
Game Theory Optimal concepts were not formally used or documented during Straus’s era.
Poker software usage
No poker software use documented or possible due to the time period.
Television appearances (list of shows with specific episodes/dates)
No documented television appearances, as televised poker was not widespread in his era.
High Stakes Poker participation (seasons/episodes)
No participation in High Stakes Poker (HSP) as the show was created after his time.
Poker After Dark appearances (episodes/dates)
No Poker After Dark (PAD) appearances documented, show was developed after his playing career.
Documentary films featuring (titles and links)
No specific documentary film features found publicly about Jack Straus.
Major publication interviews (publication names, article titles, links)
No major interview publications publicly archived.
Podcast appearances (podcast names, episode titles, dates, links)
No podcast guest appearances due to era and timing.
Own podcast/channel (name, platform, subscriber count, link)
No podcast or video channel, pre-dating these media formats.
Facebook (account link)
No Facebook presence.
YouTube channel (name, subscriber count, link)
No YouTube channel.
Twitch channel (name, follower count, link)
No Twitch streaming channel.
TikTok presence (account link, follower count)
No TikTok presence.
LinkedIn profile (link)
No LinkedIn profile.
Posting frequency in social media
Not applicable, no social media presence.
Type of content in social media
Not applicable due to era.
Current sponsors (company names, deal details if public)
No sponsorship deals known during career.
Sponsorship contract history (previous sponsors, dates)
No historical sponsorship contracts documented.
Poker site ambassadorship (site names, contract details)
No poker site ambassadorships documented.
Own business (business names, descriptions, websites)
No publicly documented business ventures.
Poker project investments (project names, involvement details)
No documented investments in poker industry projects.
Coaching services (availability, platforms used)
No known coaching services provided.
Coaching rates (if public)
Not applicable.
Educational materials (book titles with ISBN, course names with platforms, video series titles with links)
No known books, courses, or educational materials created by Jack Straus.
Affiliate programs (program names, partnerships)
No affiliate program partnerships identified.
Merchandise (product types, where sold, links)
No personal merchandise identified.
Written poker books (titles, publication years, ISBN, publisher)
No poker books authored by Jack Straus.
Training series participation (series names, platforms, links)
No participation in training series.
Masterclasses and seminars (event names, dates, locations)
No masterclass presentations recorded.
Coaching work (platforms used, student testimonials)
No public record of coaching work.
Notable students (names if public, their achievements)
No known notable coaching students.
YouTube educational content (video titles, view counts, links)
No educational YouTube content.
Poker publication articles (publication names, article titles, publication dates, links)
No known authored poker publication articles.
Magazine columns (magazine names, column titles, frequency)
No regular magazine columns.
Conference speaking (conference names, dates, topics, video links)
No known conference speaking engagements.
Poker scandal involvement (scandal names, details, outcomes)
No involvement in poker-related scandals.
Accusations of unfair play (specific incidents, resolutions)
No cheating accusations or incidents documented.
Casino/room conflicts (venue names, incident details)
No publicly known casino or poker room conflicts.
Legal proceedings (case details, outcomes, court documents)
No known legal proceedings involving Jack Straus.
Public disputes with colleagues (names involved, details)
No documented public disputes with players.
Tournament rule violations (tournament names, violations, penalties)
No tournament rule violations reported.
Tax issues (if public, details, resolutions)
No tax-related issues or disputes publicly documented.
Poker community criticism (specific criticisms, responses)
No significant criticism documented from the poker community.
Response to criticism (statements, actions taken)
Not applicable.
Poker industry awards (award names, years, organizations)
Posthumously inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1988.
Hall of Fame inclusion (hall names, induction years)
Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1988, the year of his death.
Peer recognition (specific recognitions, award details)
Recognized by peers as an elite player with resilience and aggressive style, joining notable champions like Doyle Brunson and Johnny Moss in elite final table appearances.
Poker publication awards (publication names, award types, years)
No other poker publication awards beyond Hall of Fame induction publicly documented.
Special achievements (achievement descriptions, recognition details)
Famous for the "a chip and a chair" comeback concept and one of the best bluffs in poker history; 1982 WSOP Main Event champion with multiple WSOP final tables.
Records associated with name (record descriptions, verification)
Jack Straus is credited with coining or representing the phrase "a chip and a chair" through his 1982 WSOP comeback victory from one chip.
Contribution to poker development (specific contributions, recognition)
His comeback story popularized the concept of resilience in poker tournaments, influencing poker culture and motivational lore substantially.
Charity tournaments (tournament names, amounts raised, beneficiaries)
No publicly available information on charity tournament participation.
Legacy in poker world (specific legacy aspects, community impact)
Remembered as a poker legend for his 1982 WSOP victory, his legendary bluff, and his persona as a fearless road gambler, contributing to poker folklore and inspiring players worldwide.
Industry influence (specific influences, changes attributed)
His "chip and a chair" legacy influenced poker tournament culture, strategy discussions, and the motivational mindset of persistence in poker.
WSOP (World Series of Poker) - all events all years
1982 | USA | World Series of Poker | Las Vegas | Main Event | $10,000 | 1st | $520,000 | 104 | | ||||1973 | USA | World Series of Poker | Las Vegas | $3,000 Deuce to Seven Draw | $3,000 | 1st | $16,500 | | | ||||1973 | USA | World Series of Poker | Las Vegas | Main Event | $10,000 | 3rd | | | | ||||1972 | USA | World Series of Poker | Las Vegas | Main Event | $10,000 | 4th | | | |
No tournament commentary work identified.