Doyle Brunson

Name: Doyle Brunson

DOB: August 10th 1933

Nationality: USA

Tournament winnings: $5.8m

Nickname: Texas Dolly

Greatest moment: Back-to-back WSOP Main Event victories

Doyle Brunson quite literally wrote the book on poker. He was all set for a promising basketball career before a horrific accident shattered his leg forcing him to give up the game. To fill the competitive gap in his life, Doyle started playing poker and discovered he was good at it. In the 50’s and 60’s he toured the southern states with friends Sailor Roberts and Thomas Austin ‘Amarillo Slim’ Preston. They were hard-nosed Texas road gamblers who combined their bankrolls and toured around, playing in illegal games full of gangsters and drug dealers. After some time building a decent combined roll they headed for Las Vegas where they lost it all and disbanded, although still remained friends.

Doyle rebuilt his personal ‘roll in cash games before winning back-to-back WSOP Main Events in 1976/77. Both times Doyle won with the hand 10-2 which to this day is known as ‘Doyle Brunson.’ He has a total tally of 10 bracelets which equals all-time 2nd place with Johnny Chan and is only one bracelet behind 11-time winner Phil Hellmuth. He also has a WPT title and is a poker ‘Hall Of Fame’ inductee.

In 1978 he revolutionized the game with his book Super/System, essential reading for all players which today remains the ‘bible of poker.’ He never aimed for superstardom or attention but in a world of attention seeking superstars he stands above them all. Doyle Brunson is a true legend.