09.13
Texas Holdem Poker Legends
Stu Ungar is regarded by many to the finest NL Hold em Poker gambler ever.
The three time World Poker Champion was born in New York in 1953 and started betting poker prior to becomming a teenager.
The young bettor started out playing gin and at the age of 10 had won his primary gin tournament, while on vacation with his mother and father. By the age of 14 the small poker genius had turned pro and stopped going to school.
In 1954 Stu entered the history books by succeeding 10 grand in a gin tournament without sacrificing a single hand, a record which still stands in New York these days.
The quick talking superstar has been likened, in poker terms, to sporting superstars like Joe Namath and Tiger Woods. Stu had a true skill for wagering poker except despite his successes in Texas hold em poker, he favored wagering gin.
Stu once said that there might some day be a far better NL Texas hold’em player than him except he could not see how anyone could ever be a better gin player.
In 1980 Stu was put on the global map as one of the very best Hold’em Poker players in the earth when he was crowned World Poker Champ for the 1st time. Amazingly it was the 1st time he had played in the tournament.
The following year he dismissed any suggestions that it had been luck, by effectively defending his title. And in 1997 Stu set the record by succeeding his third World poker championship.
Except this poker master also fought with drug abuse and a year after winning his 3rd title Stu died in his hotel room. According to medical doctors, he had died from a cardiac event which was triggered by his lifestyle.
Stu had started with practically nothing except his skill and natural talent for the casino game which made this poker fantastic a millionaire numerous times over.