Doyle Brunson's Biography

Who is Doyle Brunson?

He was the first player to win the World Series of Poker Main Event in consecutive years (1976 and 1977) but is perhaps most famous for writing Super System: a Guide to Power Poker, which is widely considered the Bible of Poker.

Doyle Brunson is known as the Big Papa of Poker and as Texas Dolly.

Doyle Brunson played basketball for the Texas State team and was an excellent runner, winning the 1950 Texas one-mile event in 4mins 43seconds. However, whilst at university Brunson had taken a summer job and he broke his leg in two places when moving sleetrock. This ended his hopes of becoming a professional basketball player but gave him the opportunity to play poker more often.

Soon after obtaining a masters degree, Doyle Brunson left his job and started playing poker professionally. Brunson travelled around Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma with friends playing in illegal games often run by organised criminals. He continued to do this for 6 years with fellow professionals Amarillo Slim and Sailor Roberts, pooling their money until eventually they lost their whole bankroll during their first trip to Las Vegas.

The trio stopped playing together but Doyle Brunson settled in Vegas where he won the WSOP Main Event in 1976 and then again in 1977. In 1978, Brunson self-published his book Super System which explained his poker playing strategy and gave amateurs a chance to learn the strategy of professional players. Doyle Brunson has since written many other books including Super System 2 which was released in 2004.

As of 2008, Doyle Brunson has won 10 WSOP bracelets and is level with Jonny Chan in second place, both are behind Phil Hellmuth who has won 11.

Doyle Brunson's tournament results are in the Hendon Mob database.

Brunson has had the hand 10-2 named after him as he won both the 1976 and 1977 WSOP Main Event with a 10 and a 2 as his hole cards, making a full house in both instances.