Retired poker professional Doyle Brunson waits for the start of a question-and-answer session during the grand opening of the rebranded Horseshoe Las Vegas, formerly Ballys Las Vegas, Friday, March 24, 2023. Brunson won the World Series of Poker Main Event two times - in 1976 and 1977.
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 | 9 a.m.
The World Series of Poker will hold a public memorial for Doyle Brunson, one of the most notable poker players in the history of the game. Brunson died May 14.
The celebration of his life is set for noon July 2 in the Jubilee Theater at Horseshoe, tournament officials announced this morning. Brunson, affectionately called “Texas Dolly,” was 89.
“Doyle Brunson made an indelible impact on the game of poker,” the WSOP said in a statement. “From his early days as a fearless player roaming the Texas gambling circuit to his reign as a dominant force in the Las Vegas cash game scene, Doyle left his mark on the poker world.”
The celebration will include reflections from poker notables Jack Binion, Lyle Berman, Dewey Tomko, Billy Baxter, Eric Drache, Phil Hellmuth, and Daniel Negreanu, officials said.
Brunson was a two-time WSOP Main Event champion, ranks third all-time with 10 total World Series bracelets and is in the Poker Hall of Fame. He is believed to be the first person to win $1 million in tournament poker.
“Not only did he conquer the high-stakes cash game scene, but Doyle played a pivotal role in the growth and popularity of tournament poker, shepherding a new wave of poker fans,” officials said in a statement.
When Brunson died last month, many poker players took to social media to detail the hands they played — and lost — to Brunson. Even in his later years, he carried a certain intimidating presence at the table.
Professional Scott Seiver posted about how he tried to bluff Brunson out of $40,000 only to lose.
“As he raked the pot he just looked at me and smiled and said ‘do you know how many people have given me their $ trying to do that,’” Seiver posted.
Doors for the memorial open at 11:30 a.m. Seats will be on a first-come basis.
“Join us as we honor the life of a true poker icon and celebrate Doyle Brunson’s lasting impact on the game we love,” officials said.
