Doyle Brunson, ‘Godfather of Poker,’ Dies at 89

The Texas native was the first to officially make $1 million playing the game.

Doyle Brunson, a giant of poker often referred to as the game's "godfather," died Sunday in Las Vegas at the age of 89.

Brunson, whose influence on poker spanned generations, was the first player to officially make $1 million playing the game. He turned lessons gleaned from his career into the 1979 book SuperSystem, a groundbreaking manual of poker strategy featuring contributions from several top players.

"It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our father, Doyle Brunson," read a statement from the Brunson family, tweeted out by agent Brian Balsbaugh. "He was a beloved Christian man, husband, father and grandfather. We’ll have more to say over the coming days as we honor his legacy. Please keep Doyle and our family in your prayers. May he rest in peace."

Passing this on:

“It is with a heavy heart 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 honor his legacy. Please keep Doyle and our family in your…

— Brian Balsbaugh (@Balsbaugh) May 15, 2023

A native of Longworth, Texas, Brunson played basketball collegiately at Hardin-Simmons before a knee injury ended his career.

After taking up professional poker, Brunson relocated to Las Vegas and became a mainstay of the World Series of Poker as the event gradually exploded in popularity. He twice won the WSOP's Main Event (1976-77), was its runner-up in 1980, and finished third in 1972 and 1983. 

Brunson's 10 bracelets in the WSOP are tied for second all-time, and he won a $1.1 million World Poker Tour event in 2004.