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Doyle Brunson (10 August, 1933 – 14 May, 2023)

Doyle Brunson (10 August, 1933 – 14 May, 2023)
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Angus Dunnington Pokerlistings Author
  • Fact Checked by: PokerListings
  • Last updated on: July 10, 2024 · 4 minutes to read

It’s been a sad week for the poker world, with the news that Doyle Brunson, universally known as the Godfather of Poker, passed away on 14 May.

The two-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) champion had a glittering career that spanned decades. Even on the day – 11 June, 2018 – that he announced his retirement from tournament poker at that year’s WSOP, he bowed out in style, making the final table of the $10,000 buy-in, 2–7 Single Draw event, finishing in sixth place for $43,963.

The Original Poker Success Story

For most, $40K would be a significant sum, but this barely made a difference to Brunson’s lifetime tournament earnings, which topped $6 million. Remarkably, despite this, too, being a substantial achievement, the legend – nicknamed Texas Dolly – was recently reputed to be worth $75 million.

A Winning Mix of ‘Old Style’ Poker and Keeping Up With the Times

Given Brunson’s practical, easy demeanour despite the considerable stakes he played for, perhaps it’s no surprise that he managed to carve out such a successful career both on and off the poker table. Ranked by Bluff magazine as the game’s most influential player, his legacy is unparalleled.

Happy to share his wisdom and the skills that saw him win back-to-back WSOP Main Event titles in 1976 and 1977, the books he wrote proved to be an invaluable help to countless poker fans over generations. “Doyle Brunson’s Super System” became the ultimate bible, prompting Super System 2 and going through numerous (re)editions to the point that it was – and remains – an essential read for any self-respecting poker player with even an ounce of ambition. The tome even appeared in the opening scenes of the classic 1998 poker movie Rounders, starring Matt Damon and fellow poker fan, Edward Norton.

Significantly, Brunson demonstrated a willingness to adapt over the years, his approach moving the with the times as the game evolved – catch him playing with a host of young(er) top pros in his many TV appearances to see how he continued to be a force to be reckoned with throughout his illustrious career.

A smiling Doyle Brunson.

Brunson the Mind-Reader

For your writer, my favourite aspect of Brunson’s game was his focus on psychology. We’ll end with the Master’s own words on the subject – advice that everyone, from beginner to number-cruncher, would do well to take in: “More than any other game, poker depends on your understanding your opponent… you’ve got to know what makes him tick at the moment you’re involved in a pot with him. What’s his mood … his feeling? What’s his apparent psychological frame of mind right now?”

Doyle Brunson’s WSOP Bracelet Wins

YearTournamentPrize (US$)
                        1976$5,000 Deuce to Seven Draw                  $80,250
                        1976$10,000 No Limit Hold’em World Championship                  $230,000
                        1977$1,000 Seven-Card Stud Split                  $62,500
                        1977$10,000 No Limit Hold’em World Championship                  $340,000
                        1978$5,000 Seven-Card Stud                  $68,000
                        1979$600 Mixed Doubles Seven Card Stud (with Starla Brodie)                  $4,500
                        1991$2,500 No Limit Hold’em                  $208,000
                        1998$1,500 Seven-Card Razz                  $93,000
                        2003$2,000 H.O.R.S.E.                  $84,080
                        2005$5,000 No Limit Shorthanded Texas Hold’em                  $367,800
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