Doyle Brunson - The Godfather of Poker

Doyle Brunson was a legendary poker player who has played professionally for over 60 years. He was widely considered one of the greatest poker players ever and has won numerous titles and accolades in poker, including 10 World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets. Bruson was popular for playing in high-stakes tournaments. Brunson was known for his aggressive playing style and ability to adapt to changing dynamics at the poker table. He has written several books on poker strategy, including “Doyle Brunson's Super System,” “Super/System 2,” and “Poker Wisdom of a Champion” which are considered classics in the poker world.

Doyle Brunson Biography

Doyle Brunson, known as 'The Godfather of Poker, ' was a prominent professional poker legend who died in May 2023. Throughout his career, Brunson won ten World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets.

In 1998, he was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. In 2004, he won a title at the World Poker Tour (WPT).

Brunson wrote one of the foremost books on poker strategy, Super/System. It is regarded as one of the most noteworthy and reliable poker books and has inspired many players.

Super/System was first published in 1978. It provides beginners and regular players with tips and strategies professional poker players like Doyle Brunson use to play and win the game. He also wrote another book, Poker Wisdom of a Champion, which was first released in 1984 under the title According to Doyle. In 2004, a new, updated version of Super/System was published, named Super/System 2. The book's subtitle is "How I made one million dollars playing poker," written by Doyle Brunson. This book was special because many renowned poker players, such as David Sklansky, Mike Caro, Bobby Baldwin, Joey Hawthorne, and Chip Reese, contributed their dedicated chapters. In 2004, a new version called Super/System 2 came out. Besides Brunson, other famous poker players like Bobby Baldwin, Mike Caro, David Sklansky, Chip Reese, and Joey Hawthorne wrote parts of the book.

Doyle Brunson's Background and Upbringing

Doyle Brunson was born on August 10, 1933, in Longworth, Fisher County, Texas. He grew up in a small town in Texas and was raised by his grandmother after his parents divorced when he was young. In high school, Brunson excelled in athletics and was a standout basketball player, but he turned to gaming to make money after college. He started his career as a professional Poker player in the 1950s, playing poker games in Texas and other parts of the country. He quickly gained a reputation as a skilled player and began travelling to Las Vegas to play in the city's legal casinos. In the 1970s, Brunson helped to popularise the game of No-Limit Hold'em, and he has been a leading figure in the poker world ever since.

Texas Rounder

After getting tired of mafia-run poker games in Forth Worth, Texas, Doyle moved to Midland and Odessa in West Texas.

He wanted to become a travelling poker player. However, playing on the road was risky, and it involved criminals and dangerous people. But he was not alone. He was part of a group called the Texas Rounders, along with Brian Sailor Roberts and Thomas Amarillo Slim Preston. They travelled together, playing illegal poker games across Texas.

He has shared several stories of his days as a travelling poker player. In one passage, he describes a poker game at a farmhouse which was robbed at gunpoint.

Poker Career

Doyle Brunson has regularly participated in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) since 1970. Before winning two championships back-to-back in 1976 and 1977, he reached the final table of some of the main events at the WSOP, but those finishes didn't count because, at that time, the format was winner-take-all.

In addition to his championship victories, Brunson finished in the top ranks in several other Main Events, securing 3rd place in 1972, 2nd place in 1980 (losing to Stu Ungar, a three-time leading event champion), 4th in 1982, 3rd in 1983, 16th in 1997, 53rd in 2004, and 409th in 2013. He was popular for playing in high-stakes games, including a $4,000/$8,000 limit poker game at the Bellagio's "Bobby's Room."

2003, Doyle Brunson won his ninth bracelet in a mixed games event. He ranked 53rd in the No-Limit Texas Hold'em Championship among 2,576 players in 2004. The same year, he also won the Legends of Poker event in the World Poker Tour (WPT), winning $1.1 million. He secured fourth place in the World Poker Tour's first championship event.

2005, Johnny Chan set a record by winning his 10th gold bracelet. Within a week, Brunson tied his record by winning the World Series of Poker $5,000 No Limit Shorthanded Texas Hold'em event.

After his retirement, Bruson temporarily returned to playing tournaments and ranked fifth place in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) No-Limit Texas Hold’em Master of Ceremonies Invitational event in 2021. His total earnings from live tournaments amount to $6,176,737, with over $3 million coming from his 37 cash finishes at the WSOP.

Quick Facts

• Date of Birth: August 10, 1933
• Place of Birth: Longworth, Texas, United States
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Poker Player
• Net Worth: $75 Million

Doyle Brunson Complete History at the WSOP

Brunson's first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet came in 1976 when he won the $10,000 No-limit hold 'em main event. He won nine more bracelets in various events, including seven-card stud, no-limit hold'em, and limit hold'em.

In addition to his WSOP success, Brunson has won numerous other poker titles and has been inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame.

WSOP Main Event Winners 1970-77

Doyle Brunson’s WSOP Bracelet Wins

Doyle Brunson on the World Poker Tour

Doyle Brunson has had a long and successful career in the poker world, winning numerous titles and accolades over the years. One of his most notable achievements was winning the World Poker Tour (WPT) Legends of Poker event in 2004. In this tournament, Brunson defeated a field of top players to win the first-place prize of $1 million. This victory was especially notable because it came at 71, making Brunson the oldest player to win a WPT event.

Doyle Brunson on the European Poker Tour

Doyle Brunson rarely visited Europe, but when he did, he scored his only European Poker Tour money finish. He finished 77th in the 2011 EPT London £5,000 Main Event and took £9,000 home.

Doyle Brunson Television Appearances

Doyle Brunson appeared on several  TV shows throughout his poker career, including the Premier League, High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark.

Doyle Brunson's Battle with Cancer

During his life, Doyle has battled with cancer several times. He was first diagnosed with cancer in the year 1963 when he was just 30 years old. He found a knot in his neck, which was later diagnosed as cancer. Before this, doctors had removed a black mole, but the cancer had spread, and the radiotherapy and chemotherapy did not respond. This was one of the rarest cases, as there was no history of anyone living longer than three months with this affliction.

His wife was 3 months pregnant and was told that Doyle wouldn’t live longer even to see the birth of his child. However, they went for 2nd opinion at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and when they attempted to perform surgery, the cancer had vanished.

In 2015, the doctor removed four tumours on his head, with another successful surgery the following year.

Doyle Brunson Family, Wife and Children

Bruson married Louise Brunson for over 60 years. They met in San Angelo in 1959, married in 1962, and lived happily together until Doyle passed away in 2023. Louise says, ' Love ' when people ask them the secret of their happy married life. She further added, ‘I loved him’, “True love. We’ve had a really happy marriage. That’s why you really need to be in love. Because the love will bring you through.”

Doyle Brunson Books

Brunson has written several books on the subject of poker strategy. Here is a list of some of his most popular books:

1. "Doyle Brunson's Super System" - This book is considered a classic in the world of poker and covers a wide range of topics, including tournament play, cash games, money management and decoding the ‘tells’ of opponents on the table.
2. "The Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic" - This book chronicles the Five Diamond World Poker Classic, a prestigious annual tournament in Las Vegas.
3. "The Godfather of Poker" is an autobiography of Doyle Brunson's life and career as a professional poker player. It covers his early years as a professional gambler, his experiences on the tournament circuit, and his thoughts on the future of poker.
4. "Doyle Brunson's No-Limit Texas Hold'em" - This book is a comprehensive guide to no-limit hold 'em, and it includes chapters on hand selection, table position, bet sizing, and other essential strategies to win the game.

Doyle Brunson Quotes

Here are a few quotes from Doyle Brunson:

1. "Poker is a game of people. It's not just how good a player you are, it's how well you handle people." – Brunson.
2. Be aware of your opponent’s playing style and your table image. Your table image is the perception other players have of your gameplay, which can be an important factor in your success at the poker table."I think the biggest advantage of playing poker is having the ability to read people. If you can read people well, you can pretty much play any game." – Brunson.
3. Pay attention to your opponents. Observing your opponents and trying to read their tells can give you valuable information about their hand strength."Poker is like a game of chess with money. You've got to think ahead, plan your moves and be willing to change your mind when the situation calls for it." - Brunson.
4. Know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. Knowing when to stick with a hand and when to fold to minimise losses and maximise profits."Poker is like any other sport. You must practise and improve your game." – Brunson.
5. Stay focused and disciplined. Poker can be a mentally exhausting game, and it is essential to stay focused and avoid making mistakes due to fatigue or distraction."The biggest mistake many players make is that they play too many hands. You have to be selective and wait for the right cards." - Brunson.

Know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. Knowing when to stick with a hand and when to fold to minimise losses and maximise profits is essential.

Doyle Brunson Poker Lessons

Here are a few poker tips from Doyle Brunson:

• Play only premium hands. Brunson advises players to be selective and only to play strong hands to increase their chances of winning.
• Don't be afraid to fold. It is often better to fold a hand than to risk losing a lot of chips on a weak hand.
• Manage your bankroll responsibly. Having a budget for your poker sessions and sticking to it to minimise losses is essential.
• Stay focused and disciplined. Poker can be a mentally exhausting game, and it is important to stay focused and avoid making mistakes due to fatigue or distraction.
• Continuously work on improving your skills. Poker is a constantly evolving game; it is important to keep learning and improving to stay ahead of your opponents.
• Bluff sparingly. Over-bluffing can be costly, so using bluffs sparingly and only when the situation is right is essential.
• Pay attention to the size of the pot. The pot size can be a key factor in deciding whether to continue playing a hand or to fold.
• Don't play when you're tilting. Avoiding playing when you are angry or upset can lead to poor decision-making.
• Play within your bankroll. It is important to only play with money you can afford to lose and manage your bankroll responsibly.
• Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you are new to poker or are struggling to improve your game, seek advice from more experienced players.

Poker is a versatile game. It is played in many different formats, including cash games, tournaments, and online, and enjoyed by players of all skill levels. While it is essential to be aware of the risks involved in playing poker for money, if you play with patience and discipline, you can profit from the game.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much has Doyle Brunson made in poker?

Bruson has made millions by playing poker. His live tournament earrings are $6,176,737. Most of his earnings came from high-stakes cash games. One of the most famous games he participated in is the Big Game, which has been held at the Bellagio casino for many years. That's where Doyle earned the majority of his wealth.

What hand did Doyle Brunson win with?

Doyle Bruson won with a ten and a two.

Is Todd Brunson Doyle Brunson's son?

Yes, Todd Brunson is the son of Doyle Brunson.

Why is 10-2 Doyle Brunson’s hand?

Doyle Bruson won the WSOP main events two consecutive years, in 1976 and 1977, with a ten and a two.