Doyle Brunson

Man for All Seasons
Doyle Frank Brunson, known as “Texas Dolly,” is considered the “Godfather of Poker.” He was a two-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event champion, a Poker Hall of Fame inductee, and the author of several books on poker.

Brunson won ten WSOP bracelets and is the first player to win both the WSOP and the World Poker Tour. He also had a reputation of betting enormous sums of money on just about anything. He once bet a million dollars on a single hole in a golf game and he also has spent millions in exploits trying to discover Noah’s Ark and raise the Titanic.

Early Life
Brunson was born in Longworth, Texas, August 10, 1933, he attended Hardin–Simmons University. The NBA Minneapolis Lakers showed interest in Brunson, but a knee injury ended his basketball career. After graduating he took a job selling business machines. On his first day he was invited to play in a seven-card stud game and won more than a month's salary. He soon quit his job and became a professional poker player.

Poker Begins
Brunson started playing in illegal games in the mean streets of Fort Worth, Texas and eventually began traveling around Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. He has survived whippings, gun fights, stabbings, and mobsters. Brunson finally settled in Las Vegas and became a player at the World Series of Poker at its inception in 1970. Brunson’s Net Worth is estimated around $75 Million.

Brunson finally settled in Las Vegas and became a player at the World Series of Poker at its inception in 1970. Brunson’s Net Worth is estimated around $75 Million.

The Legend of Ten-Deuce

Brunson is also known for winning two consecutive World Series of Poker Main Events in 1976 and 1977 with ten-deuce. In the 1976 match, Doyle Brunson and Jesse Alto were the last two players remaining. Alto was looking at Ace-Jack, Brunson was dealt 10-2. The flop came up A-J-10 and Jesse Alto could not believe his luck when Brunson announced “All-in.” Alto was already celebrating with top two-pair.

The Turn brought another 2, and the River came up with another 10, completing the full house for Brunson. Next year was a carbon-copy of this miracle.

In the 1977 match, Brunson playing against Gary Berland, looked down at his cards and found the already notorious 10-2. Once again the poker gods rewarded him with a full house on the river. Ten-Deuce is known as the luckiest hand in the history of poker.

Super System
Doyle Brunson is the author of “Super System,” considered one of the most authoritative books on poker.