Doyle Brunson, one of the most influential poker players of all time and two-time world champion, has died at the age of 89.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our father, Doyle Brunson. He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. We have much more to say in the coming days as we honor his legacy. Please keep Doyle and our family in your prayers. Rest in peace,” the family said in a statement.

Branson not only played poker, but also taught. He had a particular affinity for no-limit Texas hold’em, a variant of the game he first played in 1958 when it became popular in his home country.

Known as the “Godfather of Poker” and “The Texas Doll”, Branson wrote a book called “Super System” in 1979, which was one of the first poker strategy books and made a lasting impression that helped many others to introduce the game.

Brunson “bridges the gap between the dangerous street games of the 1950s and the legal games of the 21st century,” wrote poker journalist James McManus in his book The Complete Cowboys: A History of Poker (2009).

Doyle Brunson has won 10 world poker tournaments, losing only 16 to Phil Hellmuth. He also won world championships in 1976 and 1977 and was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1988. He also made history by winning two of his tournaments with tens and deuces.

When he won the World Series of Poker, he wrote that people considered him more of a professional player than a poker player. He admitted that he made millions and lost many of them early on betting on other sports, especially golf.

Source: CNN

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