Biography
Stuart Errol "Stu" Ungar was among the greatest American professional poker players ever. He was well known for playing Texas Holdem and gin rummy. He holds the record of winning the World Series of Poker (WSOP) main event and Amarillo Slim's Super Bowl of Poker thrice. Amarillo Slim's Super Bowl of Poker is the second most highly admired title in poker.
Stuart Errol Stu Ungar had a few nicknames, such as ‘Stuey’, ‘The Kid’, and ‘The Comeback Kid’.
Background
Stuart Errol Ungar was born on September 8, 1953, in a Jewish family and was raised in the fascinating Manhattan’s lower East Side. Stu Ungar’s father, Isadore Ungar, owned a bar named Foxes Corner, a gambling establishment that exposed Stuart to gambling when he was young. His father tried to keep Stuart away from the card game, but his passion for playing cards was so strong that he started playing underground gin. He lost interest in education and finally dropped out of school in the tenth standard. In 1966, Stuart’s father died of a heart attack.
Stuart Ungar continued gambling around New York until the age of 18. He even came in contact with the notorious organised crime figure Victor Romano, a proficient card player of his time. Both shared a common bond, and Victor served as a mentor and protector to Stuart, defending him from other ill-famous criminals.
Stuart Ungar was infamous for being arrogant and criticising his opponents if he thought they lacked skills. One of his famous quotes is: "I never want to be called a 'good loser.' Show me a good loser, and I'll just show you a loser."
At the age of 10, Stuart Ungar won a local gin tournament. After his father’s death, Stuart quit his studies to support his sister and mother and played tournaments to earn his living. His proficiency in poker was highly impressive, and in 1976, he became one of the best players in New York.
However, despite his winnings, Stuart Ungar was under the burden of debt and eventually had to leave New York due to gambling debts.
In 1977, he bid goodbye to New York and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. He met Madeline, his former girlfriend, and eventually married her there in 1982. However, they divorced in 1986.
Stu Ungar played in many casinos and, with his skills, could easily win gin tournaments. He became extensively popular, and many players would rethink playing against him if they knew Stu Ungar was playing.
In Las Vegas, Stuart Ungar competed and defeated many professional gamblers, such as Billy Baxter.
Stu Ungar was popular among his poker pros for offering large tips to cabbies and casino employees regardless of the amount he won.
In 1979, his mother died, and it was around this time that Ungar began using cocaine, which escalated to extreme during the World Series of Poker main event in 1990. Stuart Ungar’s life was full of sorrow as his daughter committed suicide, and the main players believe that the only thing that kept him alive, irrespective of physical illness, was his determination to see his daughter grow up.
Eventually, Stu Ungar was found dead on November 22, 1998, at the Oasis Motel. An autopsy revealed that drugs might be the cause of his death. He is interred at Palm Valley View Memorial Park in East Las Vegas.
Stuart Ungar Poker Career
Stuart Ungar has won many tournaments and titles in his career. He was so skilled in his passion that his opponents would fear to play against him.
In 1980, Stuart Ungar entered the World Series of Poker (WSOPand played a Texas Hold'em tournament for the first time. The 1980 SBOP was Stu's first tournament, and he finished 34th and won after defeating Doyle Brunson. He became the youngest champion.
In 1981, Stu Ungar struggled to defend his title at the 1981 World Series of Poker by defeating Perry Green. This year, he won his second bracelet in the $10,000 Deuce to Seven Draw event, defeating Bobby Baldwin, the world champion in 1978. He won his fourth WSOP bracelet in 1983.
Stu Ungar has a record of defeating professional poker players and multi-WSOP bracelet winners.
What made him so proficient in poker? Many believe his eidetic memory and IQ were his crucial contributions. Because of such features, many casino owners banned Ungar from playing in casinos. In 1977, Bob Stupak, an owner and designer of casinos, bet $100,000 that Ungar could not count and determine the final card down in a six-deck shoe. But Bob lost the bet.
Ungar also confronted certain allegations during his poker career. In one incident in 1982, he was penalised by the New Jersey Gaming Commission for allegedly cheating in an Atlantic City casino while playing blackjack. But he filed a legal suit and won the same.
Stuart Ungar won the pot in the 1992 World Series of Poker, defeating Mansour Matloubi in a series of $50,000 buy-in no-limit holdem heads-up freezeout events.
Stuart also won the 1997 WSOP prize but spent all the winnings chiefly on drugs and sports betting.
Ungar didn't have enough cash to participate in the 1998 WSOP, and Baxter offered a financial endorsement. However, to their surprise, Stu Ungar told Baxter he did not feel like playing just before ten minutes to start, which he later justified because of his drug abuse.
Following the 1998 WSOP, Stuart Ungar kept himself away from the public eye and was spotted walking around Las Vegas poker rooms, asking for cash to get him back on the poker tables.
In October 1998, Bob Stupak came to his rescue and offered support to Ungar to play several tournaments over a period of time.
WSOP Main Event Titles
Ungar has won the World Series of Poker main event thrice and five WSOP bracelets. His tournament winnings are estimated to be over $3,600,000.
He won the main event of Amarillo Slim's Super Bowl of Poker thrice in 1984, 1988 and 1989.
In 2001, Stu Ungar was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame for his winnings and exceptional achievements.
Stuart Ungar’s Net Worth
Stuart Ungar’s total live earnings are $3,677,961.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Stu Ungar?
Stu Ungar died due to his heart condition, which was caused by drug abuse.
What was Stu Ungar's IQ?
Stu Ungar was believed to be a genius with an IQ of over 140.
Is there a movie about Stu Ungar?
Yes. High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story was a biopic on Stu Ungar.