Stu Ungar is regarded by many to the very best NL Texas hold em Poker gambler ever.
The three time World Poker Champ was born in New York in 1953 and started playing poker prior to reaching his teens.
The young bettor began wagering gin and at the age of ten had won his 1st gin tournament, while on holiday with his mother and father. By the age of fourteen the little poker genius had become a pro and dropped out of school.
In 1954 Stu entered the record books by winning $10,000 in a gin tournament without losing a single hand, a record which still stands in New York these days.
The fast talking wiz kid has been compared, in poker terms, to sporting superstars like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. Stu Ungar had a genuine skill for betting poker except despite his achievements in Texas holdem poker, he preferred betting gin.
Stu once said that there may a few day be a greater NL Hold’em gambler than him except he couldn’t see how anyone could ever be a far better gin player.
In 1980 Stu was put on the global map as one of the best Texas hold em Poker players in the planet when he was crowned World Poker Champion for the 1st time. Extraordinarily it was the very first time he had entered the tournament.
The right after year he put aside any thoughts that it had been a fluke, by successfully defending his crown. And in ‘97 Stu set the record by succeeding his 3rd World poker championship.
But this poker master also struggled with substance abuse and a year after winning his 3rd title Stu died in his hotel room. According to doctors, he had died from cardiac arrest which was brought on by his lifestyle.
Stu had began with absolutely nothing but his ability and expertise for the game which made this poker fantastic a millionaire numerous times over.