Starting with a series of cash games in 1970 at the Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas, the World Series of Poker WSOP has evolved into one of the world’s largest and most prestigious poker events. Over the years, it has produced numerous renowned poker players and remains the focal point of the poker community each summer.
Among the many notable individuals who have graced the WSOP tables, Doyle F. Brunson holds a special place. With over five decades of poker experience, Brunson stands out as a two-time winner of the WSOP Main Event, a remarkable achievement accomplished by only a select few.
Nicknamed the “Godfather of Poker,” Brunson’s legacy extends far beyond his 10 WSOP bracelets. His impact on the poker industry transcends borders, and he continues to inspire generations of players.
In addition to his WSOP triumphs, Brunson has claimed victory in other prestigious tournaments, including the $5,000 Chinese Poker – World Championship in 1994, the $5,000 + 150 No Limit Hold’em Championship Final Day – World Poker Tour (WPT) in 2004, and the $20,000 Week 4 – World Series Legends title on Poker After Dark in 2007.
Brunson has also authored several influential poker books, notably Super System, which is regarded as one of the most authoritative texts in the field. Doyle Brunson’s enduring presence, success, and contributions have solidified his status as a true icon in the world of poker. And to honor his legacy, let’s review how he got his final WSOP poker bracelet.
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Doyle Brunson’s Final Table
During the final table of the 2005 WSOP tournament, Doyle Brunson demonstrated exceptional poker skills and strategic moves to secure victory. He made a remarkable play against Layne Flack by turning trip eights, surpassing Flack’s top two pairs, and claiming the chip lead.
Although Flack briefly regained the lead, a significant all-in pot occurred where Brunson’s pocket kings prevailed against Flack’s ace queen, resulting in a set for Brunson. While Flack was not immediately eliminated, he eventually finished in fourth place after Brunson got fortunate with two outs to knock him out, solidifying Brunson’s position as the frontrunner.
After Scotty Nguyen was eliminated in a flip against Minh Ly, the final duel ensued between Ly, seeking his first bracelet, and Brunson, who had won his first bracelet almost three decades earlier.
The match provided an entertaining climax as Brunson attempted to dominate Ly by shoving with a ten-three offsuit, mistakenly thinking he had ten-deuce—a hand he had famously used to win the WSOP game Main Event twice. Ly called with king-queen, but luck favored Brunson as the cards continued to fall in his favor. A pair of threes on the flop sealed Brunson’s victory.
The final table of this event was televised, allowing enthusiasts to find the video online and witness the thrilling action. Brunson’s stellar performance included turning trip eights against Flack’s top two pairs and winning a significant pot with pocket kings against Flack’s ace-queen.
Despite valiant efforts by Flack and Nguyen, the showdown ultimately came down to Brunson and Ly. Brunson’s triumph marked his final bracelet win, concluding his illustrious WSOP career with a total of 10 bracelets. Although Brunson participated in subsequent WSOP events and cashed out a few times, his bracelet count remained at 10, a record that Phil Hellmuth would later surpass.
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The Following Years
In the years that followed, Brunson continued to make occasional appearances at the Rio for the WSOP. However, his 2005 victory was not his last time reaching the final table. He reached the final table four more times, with his last appearance in 2018. During the $10,000 2-7 Single Draw Championship, Brunson finished sixth place, earning his 36th WSOP cash.
Despite his continued efforts, none of these final table appearances resulted in a bracelet win for Brunson and he remains at 10 bracelets.
Doyle Brunson’s Stellar WSOP Performance
Starting with a series of cash games in 1970 at the Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) has evolved into one of the world’s largest and most prestigious poker events. Over the years, it has produced numerous renowned poker players and remains the focal point of the poker community each summer.
Among the many notable individuals who have graced the WSOP tables, Doyle F. Brunson holds a special place. With over five decades of poker experience, Brunson stands out as a two-time winner of the WSOP Main Event, a remarkable achievement accomplished by only a select few.
Photo by Pixabay
Remembering an Icon
Doyle Brunson and his enduring presence, success, and contributions have solidified his status as a true icon in the world of poker. Remembering Doyle Brunson is an unsung hero of the professional poker world whose memory will live on eternally through his impressive tally of WSOP bracelets and vibrant achievements. He was legendary in the field, inspiring many players to play the beautiful game.
Even though he has passed, his legacy and reputation as one of the founders of modern-day poker will still be honored. His last WSOP bracelet wins marked a defining moment in his career that brought him full circle, with a proud moment amongst fans, friends, and professional poker players alike.
As players enter each summer’s slate of events looking for their main event glory, they’ll fondly remember Doyle Brunson and celebrate him every step of their way when they hoist that gold bracelet as a celebration of all he did for the beautiful game we all love so much.