Stu Ungar: The greatest poker player of all time
Stuart Errol Ungar, born on September 8, 1953, in the bustling city of New York, USA, was a remarkable personality in the realm of card games. With his early foray into the world of Gin Rummy, he swiftly garnered the moniker "The Kid." Venturing into the vibrant gambling scene of Las Vegas, he swiftly established himself as a poker virtuoso, ultimately ascending to the pinnacle as a world-class Texas Hold'em professional.
Even today, Stu Ungar is widely regarded as the ultimate poker professional, standing out among only a handful of players who can boast three WSOP Main Event titles, two of which were consecutive. During the latter half of his life, Stu Ungar faced the arduous battle of drug addiction and heroin dependency. Nevertheless, in 1997, he managed to secure his fifth WSOP Bracelet. Regrettably, he squandered his entire prize money on sports betting.
Stu Ungar passed away on November 20, 1998, in Las Vegas due to heart failure. His poker talent remains a legendary legacy that endures to this day. In 2001, Stu Ungar was posthumously inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame, cementing his place in poker history. The film "High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story," released in 2003, paid tribute to his remarkable journey and accomplishments.
| Land | Professional since | Favorite games | Bracelets | Highest profit | total profits | The List of Highest Earning Players of All Time (2023) | Global Poker Index (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 1977 | No Limit Texas Hold'em, Gin Rummy, and Blackjack | 5 | $1,000,000 | $3,677,961 | 330 | - |
| Hometown: | New York City, located in the United States of America. | |
| Interesting facts: | Stu Ungar purportedly possessed a genius-level intelligence and a photographic memory. He is widely regarded as the greatest player of Texas Hold'em and Gin Rummy of all time. Among only four players, he managed to win multiple consecutive WSOP Main Event titles. Nicknames: Stuey, The Kid, The Comeback Kid. | |
| Key moments in poker: | Stu Ungar emerged victorious in the WSOP Championships in 1980 and 1981, as well as in 1997. He remains, alongside Johnny Moss, the sole player to have clinched three WSOP Main Event titles. | |
| Number of WSOP bracelets: | 5 | |
| WPT/EPT Winnings: | - / - | |
| Total tournament winnings: | $3,677,961 |
The rise of "The Kid" Stu Ungar
Stu Ungar's father, a bookmaker, loan shark, and operator of a gambling bar, introduced Stu to the world of gambling at a young age. Despite his talent, Stu dropped out of school in tenth grade and managed to get by in the New York scene until his 18th birthday. At the tender age of ten, Stu won his first Gin Rummy tournament, using his winnings to support his family. By 1976, he was widely recognized as one of the top players in New York City.
His search for new opponents took him to Miami and eventually to Las Vegas. It was his exceptional skill in Gin Rummy that led to his exclusion from tournaments, prompting him to switch to poker. In a short period of time, he triumphed over professional player Bill Baxter. In 1980, he entered the WSOP and defeated poker legend Doyle Brunson at the Main Event, earning the distinction of becoming the youngest champion in the tournament's history up to that point. His age and youthful appearance earned him the nickname "The Kid." The following year, in 1981, Stu Ungar successfully defended his title against Perry Green.
Career and achievements
Stu Ungar acquired additional bracelets in 1981 during the Deuce to Seven Draw Event, where he went head-to-head against World Champion Bobby Baldwin. In 1983, he secured his fourth bracelet at the World Series of Poker by triumphing over Dewey Tomko in the Seven Card Stud Event. The fifth bracelet eluded him until 1997 when he set a new record by clinching his third WSOP Main Event title.
Throughout his brief life, Stu Ungar accumulated total winnings of $3,677,961, with his highest live cash prize of $1,000,000 coming from the 1997 WSOP Main Event. At one point, Ungar held the top spot on the All Time Money List. He emerged victorious in the Main Event of the Super Bowl of Poker in 1984, 1988, and 1989. His participation in the 1980 Main Event marked his first-ever experience playing Texas Hold'em in a tournament. At that time, the now-defunct Super Bowl of Poker was considered the world's second most important poker tournament.
Stu Ungar's playing style can be described as highly aggressive. The professional had a knack for strategically timing his bluffs. During the 1997 World Series of Poker, his opponents felt as though Stu had the ability to see their hole cards. Simultaneously, he played with arrogance, conviction, and unwavering confidence in his own abilities. He adamantly refused to feign weakness in order to extract more money from his opponents. Instead, he struck them swiftly and directly, wasting no time.
Blackjack, Drugs, and a Return
Due to his exceptional intellect and remarkable memory, Stu Ungar possessed the capacity to count cards in blackjack, which consequently led to his ban from numerous casinos. In 1997, the casino proprietor Bob Stupak made a wager of $100,000 with him: Stu Ungar was to count the cards from six decks and predict the final card - and emerged victorious.
Ungar was deeply affected by the loss of his mother, a divorce, and the tragic suicide of his adopted son, leading to a rapid escalation of his drug-related issues. Despite being discovered in his hotel room with an overdose during the 1990 World Series of Poker, he remarkably carried on with the tournament. The combination of personal hardships and substance abuse took a toll on his life, yet Ungar's determination to persevere in the face of adversity was truly remarkable.
In 1997, Bill Baxter, a close friend and professional, lent him the WSOP entry fee. Nearly dozing off at the poker table on the first day due to exhaustion, he mustered up the strength to compete, dedicating his performance to his daughter. Remarkably, he accumulated a significant chip lead, securing a spot at the final table. Clinching the championship title, he generously shared the one-million-dollar prize money with Baxter. Given that sixteen years had elapsed since his previous Main Event victory, and his struggles with substance abuse had diminished his chances of success, he earned the nickname "The Comeback Kid."
