Stu Unger Rise and Fall of a Poker Genius
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Stu Ungar: The Rise and Fall of a Poker Genius
Summary
Explore the intriguing life of poker legend and three-time WSOP champion Stu Ungar.Introduction
Stu Ungar emerged as a superstar in the professional poker world, known for his unparalleled talent and dramatic life story. His legacy inspired both a biography and a biopic, capturing the attention of fans and poker enthusiasts alike.Early Life
Born in 1953 in Manhattan's Lower East Side, Stuart Errol Ungar grew up in a Jewish family. With his father being a well-known bookmaker and his mother too ill to intervene, Stu's fascination with gambling went unchecked. After losing his father at 13, Stu found a mentor in Victor Romano, a figure associated with the infamous Genovese family. Both shared a remarkable memory, fuelling their prowess in poker and gin games. Stu, already a skilled gin player, quit school to pursue a full-time career in gin rummy, benefitting from the Genovese family's protection against offended rivals.Rise to Fame
Stu conquered the gin scene, defeating even the top players like Harry "Yonkie" Stein. With little competition left, he turned to professional poker. In 1976, Stu moved to Las Vegas with his girlfriend, later marrying and having a daughter, Stephanie. By 1980, he made history by winning the World Series of Poker Main Event, becoming the youngest champion ever, earning the nickname "The Kid." Despite winning the 1981 WSOP Main Event, Stu identified more with gin than poker. At blackjack tables, his exceptional skills often led to being barred by casinos. In 1982, the New Jersey Gaming Commission fined him for perceived cheating, although Stu claimed it was just his natural talent and memory at work.The Downfall
By 1990, Stu returned to the WSOP heavily addicted to drugs. Leading for three days, he vanished and was discovered unconscious from a drug overdose in his hotel room. Remarkably, he still finished ninth, using his winnings for his cocaine habit.The Comeback
After a seven-year hiatus, Stu returned to the WSOP in 1997. Despite being financially broke and physically ravaged by cocaine abuse and gambling addiction, he reclaimed his Championship title. Dubbed "The Comeback Kid," his victory was short-lived.Tragic End
In 1998, Stu couldn't afford the WSOP entry fee. Seven months after Scotty Nguyen's WSOP win, Stu was found dead in a Las Vegas motel, with only $800 in his possession. His heart condition, exacerbated by years of drug abuse, had led to his untimely demise.Legacy
- Biography: 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.- Film: High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story, directed by A.W. Vidmer, starring Michael Imperioli.
Stu Ungar's life remains a captivating narrative of talent, triumph, and tragedy in the world of professional poker.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Stu Unger Rise and Fall of a Poker Genius.
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