We Pay Our Respects To The Godfather of Poker

Doyle F. Brunson was more than just a world-champion poker player; he was the stuff of legend. Brunson rose to fame in the 90s when his mix of straight talk, cowboy charm and kindly manner stood in stark contrast to the poker upstarts who thought rude and mouthy was cool.

In 2005 Sports Illustrated described him perfectly, saying:

“The testosterone that floods most of today’s games owes its existence to Brunson’s philosophy of attack, the outlaw whiff of his style, the cowboy jingle-jangle of his prose.”

Despite it feeling like we shared the APCW interview with the poker guru only yesterday, the reality is that it was over fourteen years ago. As the adage goes, time and tide wait for no man, and on Sunday, May 14^th, Doyle Brunson went to be with the Lord at the age of 89.

A Fond Farewell to a Great Man

In a touching farewell to the legendary poker player, his agent Brian Balsbaugh, shared a message from the Brunson family on Twitter:

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our father, Doyle Brunson. He was a beloved Christian man, husband, father, and grandfather. We'll have more to say over the coming days as we honour his legacy. Please keep Doyle and our family in your prayers. May he rest in peace. Sincerely, the Brunson Family”

The admiration and respect Brunson had garnered over his lifetime are evident in the responses to this heartbreakingly tender message, with it receiving nearly 600,000 views and thousands of hearts, not to mention hundreds of comments via direct replies, quotes, and retweets.

Every response was positive, wishing him peace, thanking him for his influence on the community and sharing their condolences with his family.

You Choose How to Play the Hand You're Dealt

An incredible number of poker and pop culture celebrities echoed the positive impact of his life and the tragedy of his passing. These people had the honour of knowing Doyle personally and calling him a friend.

Here are some of the messages that flooded social media after the announcement:

• James Wood: “This one is a heartbreaker. Doyle Brunson, the greatest poker player who ever lived, has cashed in his chips. Doyle was so kind and helpful to me. He was gracious to my late dear brother and every friend I introduced him to. A gentleman and a genuine legend.”
• Daniel Negreanu: “Legend. There will never be another Doyle Brunson. Doyle was Amanda Negreanu’s favourite player by a mile. He will be missed by many, the Godfather of Poker.”
• Scotty Nguyen: “Can’t believe this day has come - you will always be held high in our hearts, the man, the myth, the legend & THE GODFATHER of poker baby!”
• Maria Ho: “The last time I had the honour of playing #poker with him was last year, and this is how I’ll remember him: sharp as ever and had me in awe of his presence until the end. Legends never die.”

 No matter where you look online, one sentiment echoes throughout – Doyle Brunson was loved, respected and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.