Poker is a game that has stood the test of time for more than 150 years. It remains at the forefront of the gaming industry due to its combination of skill, luck, and long-term strategy.
At its core, poker pits players one on one as they try to outwit and outplay each other with their hands. No two games are identical, with an entire deck of cards in play and the possibilities lent by the combinations of different cards held by each player. In addition, it is a game that relies heavily on psychology and adapting strategies to be successful; whether you’re playing online or in a tournament, there’s always something new to learn.
Poker also blends into many different cultures worldwide, appealing to people from all walks of life – another piece in its enduring appeal over the years. All these elements have combined to make poker one of the biggest games worldwide.
Poker has carved out a place in competitive gaming with its rich history and immense strategic appeal. From the fiery duels on the Mississippi boats of the 1800s to the high-stakes championship matches today, poker has provided unforgettable moments, exciting stories, and incredible bluffs throughout its history. Such strategic depth has driven many professional players to contention on the biggest stages. This element makes poker unique in that it is both accessible enough to enjoy casually and complex enough to be practiced professionally.
This article will cover some of the most legendary pros to grace the game; their names are known to every serious poker player.
Photo by Unsplash
Johnny Moss
Johnny Moss was one of the first-ever professional poker players. Known as “The Grand Old Man of Poker,” he has numerous accomplishments that make him one of poker’s all-time greats. His most notable achievement is being the first person ever to win the World Series of Poker (WSOP) back in 1970.
At the time, the WSOP did not follow the freezeout tournament format it uses today. Instead, the seven poker pros invited by Benny Binion voted for the best player after several days of cash games. Unsurprisingly, they all voted for themselves, so Moss won when they voted once more for the second-best player. Besides being the first winner, Moss is one of two people in history to win the WSOP three times and one of four to win it back-to-back.
Doyle Brunson
Doyle “Texas Dolly” Brunson is another of poker’s oldest pros, with an exceptionally long career spanning 50 years. His numerous accomplishments include authoring Super/System, a poker book considered one of the game’s most essential texts, and winning the WSOP back-to-back. How he won those two tournaments is a legendary story in and of itself.
At the 1976 WSOP final table, Brunson held a 10-2 heads-up against Jesse Alto’s A-J. Brunson’s disadvantage was compounded by the flop of A-J-10, giving Alto a two-pair to his one. Against all odds, the turn and river were both a two, giving Brunson the full miracle house to win the poker game.
Now, this stroke of luck is already extraordinary. However, at the 1977 WSOP final table, Brunson found himself heads-up against Gary Berland. Holding the same 10-2 against Berland’s 8-5, the flop came 10-8-5. In the same spot as last time, Brunson caught a two and a ten on the turn and river to create another full house. The nature of his back-to-back WSOP wins even got the 10-2 “Doyle Brunson” hand named after him.
Photo by Unsplash
Stu Ungar
Stu Ungar is a poker pro who was widely considered the greatest Texas Holdem and Gin Rummy player of all time. With his genius IQ and photographic memory, he made a name for himself at various casinos around the country.
Ungar was banned from playing blackjack anywhere because he was simply too good at it. Like Johnny Moss, he’s one of two players to win the WSOP three different times and one of four to win it in consecutive years.
His youthful physique and skill earned him the nickname “The Kid,” which later became “The Comeback Kid” after his third WSOP win. His first two wins came in 1980 and 1981, and he returned 16 years later with a third title in 1997.
Jack Straus
Jack “Treetop” Straus was the 1982 WSOP champion. While any WSOP win is impressive, Straus may just hold the record for any player’s most extraordinary tournament run. He lost a massive hand on day two of the 1982 WSOP Main Event.
Seemingly eliminated from the tournament, Straus stood up but noticed a 500 chip beneath a napkin. Since he hadn’t gone all-in, he was allowed to continue playing.
Straus immediately used this chip as one of the blinds, but thankfully, everyone folded to him, giving him some leeway. Straus steadily built his bankroll up from there, and before long, he had the most chips at the table. He had 90,000 chips by the end of day 2 and became the chip leader by day 3 with 341,500. After eliminating most of the final table, he beat Dewey Tomko in a heads-up battle that lasted 10 minutes.
Straus’ iconic run has since created the expression “A chip and a chair,” meaning there is always a chance for you to come back in a poker tournament as long as you’re still in it.
Photo by Pixabay
Poker pros form the fabric of the game’s history. Each has unique experiences and insights, and they have changed the game as we know it. That’s why it pays to take the time to learn about them; knowing their stories helps us understand the game’s roots.
We hope these pros inspired you. Such anecdotes can also inspire anyone wanting to practice playing online poker and become one of the best in the future. As anyone who has ever achieved greatness will tell you, practice makes perfect, so don’t let anything stop you from working toward your dreams!