Renowned two-time world poker champion Doyle Brunson has passed away at the age of 89, as confirmed by his family on Sunday.
In a statement shared on Twitter by Brunson's agent, Brian Balsbaugh, the Brunson family expressed their grief and announced the sad news. They described Doyle Brunson as a cherished Christian man, husband, father, and grandfather, and requested prayers for him and their family during this time. They will be honoring his legacy in the coming days.
No specific details regarding the cause of his death have been disclosed.
Doyle Brunson, widely known as "The Godfather of Poker" and "Texas Dolly," achieved remarkable success throughout his career. He secured ten victories at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) tournaments, including back-to-back wins in the main event in 1976 and 1977, making him a two-time world champion. Brunson, often seen wearing his signature cowboy hat, earned over $6 million in live tournament earnings.
In 1979, Brunson authored a seminal book on poker strategy titled "Super System," which is revered as a fundamental resource in the game.
Fellow poker players and enthusiasts expressed their sorrow and paid tribute to Brunson. Daniel Negreanu, a long-time poker opponent, referred to him as a "legend" and emphasized that there will never be another Doyle Brunson. Five-time WSOP champion Scotty Nguyen expressed disbelief at the news and hailed Brunson as the "man, the myth, the legend & THE GODFATHER of poker."
Brunson's significant contributions to the world of poker were acknowledged by the Poker Hall of Fame when he was inducted in 1988.
Actor James Woods, who shared a close bond with Brunson, commemorated their friendship on Twitter, praising Brunson's kindness, generosity, and status as a true legend.
Doyle Brunson's departure leaves an immense void in the poker community, as highlighted by a heartfelt message from the World Series of Poker, acknowledging him as a consummate player and gentleman.
Born in Texas, Brunson initially pursued basketball but a knee injury thwarted his aspirations of becoming a professional player.
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