Travelling the United States as one of the first professionals in the game, Brunson was part of the six-man coral who decided the 1970 world champion by way of a private vote. Tipped for NBA greatness, a problem with his knee ended all hopes of a professional sports career for the Texan and he took to playing poker. In fact, his life – and poker itself – might have looked very different had he not suffered an injury as a high school basketball player. The Creation of a Legendĭoyle Brunson’s career in cards was so long and legendary that you could be forgiven for thinking that playing poker was all Brunson ever did. To many, Doyle Brunson was poker.ĭoyle Brunson’s death at the age of 89 leaves the poker landscape forever altered. The man known as ‘Texas Dolly’ was the inspiration behind amateurs starting to play, he was the motivation for professionals to achieve their dreams. To many, Doyle Brunson wasn’t simply the reason they got into poker. The most iconic poker player ever to be dealt cards has passed away at the age of 89.
