Stu Unger Rise and Fall of a Poker Genius
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Stu Ungar: The Rise and Fall of a Poker Genius
Summary
Discover the captivating life story of Stu Ungar, a legendary poker player and three-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) champion.Introduction
Stu Ungar stands out as one of the most remarkable figures in the world of professional poker. Known for his unmatched talent and three WSOP titles, his life was a whirlwind of fame, struggles, and tragedy. His story inspired both a biography and a biopic, and his life mirrored that of a rock star, replete with rapid success, personal demons, and an untimely death.The Beginning
Born in 1953 to a Jewish family in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Stuart Errol Ungar's fascination with gambling was influenced by his father, a well-known bookmaker. After his father’s death, 13-year-old Stu found guidance in Victor Romano, a soldier in the infamous Genovese crime family, who shared Ungar's extraordinary memory?"a skill that would serve him well in gin and poker games. By his teen years, Stu had already established himself as a formidable gin rummy player, dropping out of school to pursue it full-time. The Genovese family protected him from disgruntled opponents put off by his confident and often abrasive playing style.The Rise
Stu quickly became unbeatable in gin rummy, reputedly driving top players like Harry "Yonkie" Stein to quit the game after losing to him. With the lack of competition, Stu shifted to professional poker. He moved to Las Vegas in 1976, where he married and had a daughter, Stephanie. By 1980, Stu emerged victorious at the WSOP Main Event, defeating seasoned professionals like Doyle Brunson, earning him the nickname "The Kid." Despite his poker success, Stu still viewed himself as a gin player, once proclaiming that while future poker greats would emerge, none could rival his gin rummy prowess. He also turned his talents to blackjack, though casinos eventually barred him for his ability to exploit his phenomenal memory. In 1982, the New Jersey Gaming Commission fined him for what they perceived as unfair play, despite no actual rule-breaking.The Fall
By 1990, Stu returned to the WSOP heavily impacted by drug addiction. Leading the chip count for the first three days, he vanished, later found unconscious in a hotel room due to a drug overdose. Despite this, he finished ninth, pocketing enough money to sustain his addiction.The Comeback
Seven years later, in 1997, Stu made a remarkable comeback at the WSOP. Despite being broke, struggling with cocaine addiction, and battling gambling habits, he reclaimed the WSOP Championship title. The media hailed him as "The Comeback Kid," yet his revival was short-lived.The Death
Stu did not participate in the 1998 WSOP, unable to gather the entry fee. Just seven months after Scotty Nguyen claimed the WSOP title, Stu Ungar was found dead in a Las Vegas motel room with only $800 to his name, his heart having succumbed to years of drug abuse.Legacy
For those interested in his story, his life is chronicled in "One of a Kind: The Rise and Fall of Stuey 'The Kid' Ungar, The World's Greatest Poker Player" by Nolan Dalla, Peter Alson, and Mike Sexton. His life was also depicted in the film "High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story," directed by A. W. Vidmer, starring Michael Imperioli.Through his life and legacy, Stu Ungar remains a poignant reminder of the fine line between genius and tragedy.
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