Stu Unger Rise and Fall of a Poker Genius
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Stu Ungar: The Rise and Fall of a Poker Legend
Summary:
Explore the remarkable journey of poker legend and three-time WSOP champion, Stu Ungar.
Keywords:
Stu Ungar, professional poker, World Series of Poker, legendary poker player, gin games, gin tournaments, gin rummy player, blackjack tables, casinos, gambling, entertainment, sports and recreation.
Article
Stu Ungar is celebrated as one of the most impressive figures to emerge from the world of professional poker. Known for his unparalleled genius at the table, Ungar clinched the World Series of Poker (WSOP) title three times. His life, marked by fame, talent, and tragedy, has inspired both a biography and a biopic.
Early Life
Stuart Errol Ungar was born in 1953 to a Jewish family on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. His father was a recognized bookmaker while his mother faced health challenges, leaving Ungar to explore his fascination with gambling unchallenged. Following his father’s death, 13-year-old Stu found a mentor in Victor Romano, a notable Genovese family soldier. Both shared an extraordinary memory, crucial for success in poker and gin games.
Ungar was already a skilled gin player by his teens, dropping out of school to become a full-time gin rummy player. His talents benefitted the Genovese family, who, in turn, protected him from other gamblers offended by his brash playing style.
Ascendancy
As a professional gin player, Stu outperformed all his competition. He famously ended the career of Harry "Yonkie" Stein, a top gin player of the time. With no real competition left, Stu shifted his focus to poker. In 1976, he moved to Las Vegas with his girlfriend, where they married and welcomed their daughter, Stephanie.
In 1980, Ungar won the WSOP Main Event, defeating experienced players like Doyle Brunson. Dubbed "The Kid," he became the youngest WSOP champion. Although he took the 1981 WSOP Main Event title again, Stu considered himself more a gin and rummy player. He famously declared that while the poker world might see better no-limit players, no one would surpass him in gin rummy.
Stu also attempted to leverage his skills at blackjack tables. However, casinos frequently barred him due to his winning prowess. In 1982, despite being fined by the New Jersey Gaming Commission for alleged cheating, his exceptional memory was his only tool.
Decline
By 1990, Ungar returned to the WSOP heavily involved with drugs. Initially leading the event, he vanished after a drug overdose left him unconscious in his hotel room. Nevertheless, he finished ninth, earning enough for his ongoing cocaine habit.
Comeback and Final Days
After a seven-year hiatus from professional poker, Stu returned to the WSOP in 1997. Despite being broke, addicted to drugs and gambling, and physically deteriorated, he reclaimed his WSOP Championship title. The media praised "The Comeback Kid," but this triumph was short-lived.
Ungar did not attend the 1998 WSOP due to financial constraints. Just months after Scotty Nguyen's victory at that event, Stu was found dead in a Las Vegas motel with only $800. His heart condition, worsened by years of substance abuse, was the cause.
Legacy
For those intrigued by Stu's life, his 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, offers an in-depth look. Additionally, the film High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story, directed by A. W. Vidmer and starring Michael Imperioli, captures his tumultuous journey.
Stu Ungar's genius and tragic life continue to captivate poker enthusiasts and the broader public alike.
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