Doyle Brunson

Doyle Brunson, or better known as Texas Dolly throughout the Poker World, has defined what American Poker is all about. His career has spanned several generations and he has seen players of all kinds come and go. Born in 1933 Doyle came up long before Poker was something that everyone watched on television. Back before the game was a career in and of itself and back when it was hard. He has already been inducted into the Poker Hall Fame and he shows no sign of letting up anytime soon. Becoming the first player to win consecutive titles in the World Series of Poker main event Doyle’s legacy appears to have been preordained.

Doyle has been exceptional at virtually everything that he has ever tried, even since a very early age. Born in a very small town in Texas, Doyle found that he was a very talented athlete winning a Texas track meet in 1950 with a time of 4:43. No small feat in and of itself, but Doyle wasn’t just interested in running fast. He was also a very talented basketball player and was courting the idea of becoming a professional basketball player when tragedy struck one day at work. His leg was broken in two places and Doyle’s hopes and dreams of playing basketball professionally were shattered right along with his leg. Doyle’s injury kept him on crutches for approximately two years and Doyle decided that an education was his best bet. He soon earned his Master’s Degree in Administrative Education.

Doyle needn’t to have worried, however, because what comes hard to some didn’t for him. Seeing that he could make several months of pay in just a few short hours led him down the path that all professional Poker players must walk at some point in their lives.

Doyle Brunson started his professional Poker career in a time that Poker wasn’t as reputable as it is today. Legal issues followed Doyle for the early part of his career until the Poker world was looked upon more favorably by the mainstream community.

Winning ten bracelets on the World Series of Poker Tour beginning in 1976 and winning his last in 2005 has secured Doyle a place in the minds of Poker players coming up for almost four decades. He has authored numerous books on the subject, something that he has attributed to him losing a substantial amount of money. Before Doyle and his fellow professional Poker players began writing books on the subject the secrets that they possessed were kept as close to the vest as the cards themselves. By writing these books Doyle further popularized the sport and made it easier for people looking to break into the Big Game.

Even with all that Doyle Brunson has accomplished in his life the final chapter of his book has yet to be written. No one knows exactly how the Texas Dolly will go out but one thing is for sure, his legacy as one of the greatest Poker players of all time will never bust.