Hundreds of poker fans joined figures from the poker world on Sunday to honor the late Doyle Brunson in a special celebration of life. The event was open to the public, and a line to enter the Jubilee Theater wrapped around the floor of the Horseshoe Las Vegas casino for entry.
Bronson, who passed away in May at the age of 89, is considered poker’s greatest legend. The Hall of Famer has competed at the highest levels of the game for the better part of seven decades, winning 10 World Series of Poker bracelets to match a World Poker Tour Title, the original Bible of Poker was written in the language super system.
The party was hosted by Bronson’s agent and longtime friend, Brian Palsbaugh, who suggested October 2 for the annual Doyle Bronson Day in honor of the two majors he won 10-2. The motion was properly approved and supported by those present.
“On Doyle Bronson Day we all party and play poker,” said Balspaugh.
The audience was treated to a preview of an upcoming Doyle Bronson documentary, as well as speakers Dewey Tomko, Maury Scandani, Gabe Kaplan, Lyle Berman, Daniel Negrino, and Phil Hellmuth, who was running without sleep after winning the record. The seventeenth bracelet hours earlier that morning.
Other notables who attended included Jack Benion, Phil Ivy, Johnny Chan, Freddy Depp, Linda Johnson, Terry King, Jean Fisher, David Williams, Erik Lindgren, Josh Aryeh, Toni Dunst, Aline Shulman, Ken Lambert, Karina Jett, and Betrand. grospellier, WPT CEOs Adam Pliska and Matt Savage and poker bloggers Andrew Neem and Brad Owen.
Dewey Tomko, longtime friend and three-time bracelet winner, chose to speak of Bronson’s faith and generosity rather than his poker prowess, telling a story about water wells in Africa that Bronson would pay for and then name his friends.
PokerGO producer Mori Eskandani followed up with his own stories, telling the audience that “Poker got lucky when Doyle Brunson pulled his first bet.”
Actor, comedian and former poker commentator Gabe Kaplan has spoken about the first time he met Bronson, who gifted him a copy of his book super system. “A book has cost me $100, in the last 40 years $35 million,” Kaplan joked.
WPT Co-creator Lyle Berman also spoke about their friendship, joking that he spent “more time with Doyle than I did.” [his] Two ex-wives combined.
Phil Hellmuth and Daniel Negreanu talk about Brunson’s efforts to grow the game and share his wisdom with younger generations.
“It was an oasis of comfort,” said Helmuth, while Negrino noted that not only was he still competing at a high level until his death, he was actually getting better.
The ceremony was rounded off by Doyle’s son, fellow Hall of Famer Todd Brunson, who gave a light roast to the other speakers before thanking the crowd for coming.
“Dad would have felt pink tickles seeing this turnout,” he said.
You can watch some of the ceremony on Daniel Negreanu’s vlog.
Brunson’s life and poker career was also featured in the latest issue of Card Player magazine, Available now Connected.
Those who attended the celebration of the life event were given a deck of cards with Bronson’s picture on the box. The deck consists of 26 dozens and 26 deuces, each printed on the back with a different “Doyle-ism”.
“The meaning of life cannot be said, we must live it.”
“Success comes from taking the hand that has been dealt and using it to the best of your ability.”
“Sometimes opportunity knocks, other times you have to follow through.”
