STU UNGAR

”Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser.”
Stu Ungar

Rookies have won poker tournaments before. But after winning the 1980 World Championship event at Binion's Horseshoe; Stu Ungar managed to defend his title in 1981. So 25 year old Ungar in 1981 had two World Championship wins – after entering the tournament only twice.

All in all he won 10 major No Limit titles. This was a stunning accomplishment considering that he only participated in about 30 of these events during his entire career.

Stu Ungar was indeed a true poker genius. He played extremely aggressive with an amazing feel of the game. His style was fearless, if also at times reckless. Bur despite his skills at the poker tables he never considered poker his number one game. That for him was gin rummy: ”Some day, I suppose it’s possible for someone to be a better No Limit Hold’Em than me. I doubt it, but I could happen. But, I swear to you, I don’t see how anyone could ever play gin better that me.”

His photographic memory also made him a feared Black Jack player. As a result he ended up being banned from the game at most casinos. His only real weakness as a player was that he craved action so desperately that he often bet money even when the odds obviously was not in his favour. He for instance lost huge amounts – millions probably – betting against opponents on the golf course.

Unfortunately his health took a beating from constant drug abuse. In 1998 his heart finally gave up. The last time he played The World Championships was in 1997. He won that year too.

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