In the dimly lit world of high-stakes poker, where legends are born, and fortunes are made or shattered, there was a towering figure who transcended the game itself. Doyle Brunson, the man whose name became synonymous with poker greatness, passed away late on Sunday, May 14.
As the news of his passing reverberates through the poker community, we find solace in revisiting the moments that helped define his extraordinary career.
Amidst the smoke-filled rooms and the clinking of chips, Brunson held the power to shape destinies and etched his name into the annals of poker history on more than a few occasions. So, as we mourn the loss of a true icon and reflect upon his brilliance, take some time to look through some of Texas Dolly’s most memorable televised hands.
High Stakes Poker
For many poker fans, Brunson’s appearances on High Stakes Poker was their first introduction to the man.
Across the original airing High Stakes Poker, seasons 1-7, Brunson was one of the biggest winners. His record across the show saw him up $538,150, which was bested by only Tom Dwan, Johnny Chan and David Benyamine.
The biggest pot Brunson played on High Stakes Poker was against Guy Laliberte, the founder of the charitable organization One Drop Foundation and co-founder of the universally loved Cirque du Soleil.
Laliberte was no stranger to high stakes despite his business background and was more than happy to put the professionals to the test. With $57,100 already in the middle on the A♣J♠4♦ flop, Brunson bet $40,000 with his A♦10♦, which folded out three opponents before Laliberte called with his A♥5♥.
On the 2♦ turn, Laliberte check-raised to $310,000 after Brunson fired a second barrel of $110,000. Undeterred, Brunson jammed for $30,500 more and was called for the pot to grow to $818,100.
It was agreed that two river cards would be dealt. The Q♠ came first, and it was followed by 10♥. Brunson avoided his opponent making two pair or a wheel which sealed his largest ever High Stakes Poker hand.
The Big Game
As we continue the trip down memory lane, it would be impossible not to stop by and revisit some of Brunson’s best moments from the PokerStars high-stake show, The Big Game.
While it’s always fun to see Brunson play his famed ten-deuce, it’s equally as enjoyable to see him go on a heater with premium hands, as seen above. Surprisingly, Brunson finished in the red across his showings on The Big Game and was in the hole for $153,700.
PokerStars ambassador and Twitch superstar Lex Veldhuis was one player to share the stage with Brunson on The Big Game and shared one of his favourite ‘Doyle’ anecdotes from the show as poker players from all over paid their respects.
@LexVeldhuis I remember this ###
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker)
Coincidentally, Veldhuis played the biggest pot of his career against Brunson on The Big Game, which saw $294,600 head over to the Dutchman.
One Final Bluff Against Hellmuth
Doyle’s last televised poker appearance came at the WPT World Championships last December, where he was a part of one of the Celebrity Cash Game lineups.
Brunson was hugely successful on the World Poker Tour felt, winning $2,096,034 under the WPT umbrella. And he proved that he hadn’t lost a step after his latest display against the likes of Phil Ivey, Brad Owen and Phil Hellmuth.
And against the latter, Brunson pulled off an impressive king-high bluff on ‘The Poker Brat’ in a nearly $50,000 pot, which is timestamped above.
Hellmuth held A♦Q♥ on the A♣8♥10♠2♥5♥ board, while Brunson had the K♣J♣. Brunson jammed for $25,600 into a pot of $20,600. This sent Hellmuth into the blender, who agonized over his decision for several minutes.
In the end, “There’s nothing wrong with getting bluffed by Doyle,” chimed Hellmuth, who sent his winning hand into the muck.
Editor & Live Reporter
Calum has been a part of the PokerNews team since September 2021 after working in the UK energy sector. He played his first hand of poker in 2017 and immediately fell in love with the game. Calum’s proudest poker achievement is winning the only tournament he has ever played in Las Vegas, the prestigious $60 Flamingo evening event.