On May 14 this year, the poker world said goodbye to one of its most legendary figures, Doyle Brunson, who passed away at the age of 89. Known affectionately as ‘Texas Dolly’, Brunson soared to poker stardom during the 1970s and remained a prominent presence in high-stakes poker until his passing. He even graced the screens in televised poker matches, notably appearing in the 2022 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event.
In 2023, the poker community bid farewell to several other notable players, including:
Hank Yang
- A respected Las Vegas poker player known for his generosity and class in Aria’s poker room.
- Known mostly for cash games, recorded notable tournament cashes totaling $178,492.
Julian Track
- EPT Prague champion who tragically passed away in a traffic accident at 39.
- Successful online player, notably winning the 2013 EPT Prague for €725,700.
Jeffrey Fogel
- Fought ALS for 10 years before passing away at 51.
- An advocate who used his struggle to raise awareness about the disease.
Mike McClain
- Passed away from stomach cancer after earning $1,303,837 in lifetime tournament earnings.
- Noted for his mentorship and strategic poker insights.
Thayer Rasmussen
- A veteran online player known for helping newcomers pre-Black Friday.
- His family shared heartfelt messages about his impact beyond poker.
Cy Church
- A Michigan player with $342,414 in tournament earnings, predominantly from MSPT.
- Remembered as a kind and gentle soul in the poker community.
Doyle Brunson
- The “Godfather of Poker,” Doyle Brunson passwed away at the age of 89 in May 2023.
- He was a 10-time WSOP bracelet winner who played poker for more than 50 years.
Louise Brunson
- Doyle Brunson‘s wife who passed away five months after her husband.
- Remembered for her support and partnership with Doyle.
Carolyn Taylor
- Renowned Texas poker figure who ran a game for over 50 years.
- Affectionately known as ‘The First Woman in Texas Poker’.
Steve Verrett
- Wisconsin poker player and advocate who amassed $67,554 in tournament earnings.
- Recognized for his passion for the game and advocacy efforts.
Lance Funston
- Entrepreneur and philanthropist who passed away at 80, leaving a diverse legacy.
- Known for his versatile achievements beyond the poker realm.
David Goldberg
- An Atlantic City fixture with $183,595 in lifetime tournament earnings.
- Remembered for his friendship with Phil Ivey and witty poker sayings.
Edward Garcia
- A respected figure in the Texas poker community who passed away at 37.
- Revered for his selflessness and dedication to the Empire Poker Club.
Karan Malhotra – India
Moving to home turf, the Indian community lost one of its beloved members, Karan Malhotra, who passed away at the age of 35 due to complications arising from dengue on October 4. He was an online MTT crusher who earned an impressive Rs 4.07 Crores in online winnings. Apart from his online exploits, he cashed prestigious live events like BPT High Roller, WPT Prime Vietnam NLHE Superstack Turbo and WPT Prime India Mega Stack Closer to name a few.
Each of these individuals contributed uniquely to the poker world, leaving behind legacies and memories that continue to echo strongly within the community.
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