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 life 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, recreation

Article

Stu Ungar remains one of the most iconic figures in professional poker history. A true genius of the game and a three-time World Series of Poker champion, Ungar's life story is both fascinating and tragic?"so much so that it inspired both a biography and a biopic after his passing.

Ungar lived a life worthy of a rock star, complete with a meteoric rise to fame, struggles with addiction, and a tragic end. Here we delve into the extraordinary journey of poker legend Stu Ungar.

Beginnings

Born Stuart Errol Ungar in 1953 to a Jewish family on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Stu was drawn to gambling from a young age. His father, a well-known bookmaker, and his ailing mother's inability to curb his interest allowed Stu's passion to flourish. After his father passed away, 13-year-old Stu found guidance in neighbor Victor Romano, a notorious member of the Genovese crime family.

Both possessed exceptional memory skills, which they applied to poker and gin games. By his teens, Stu was already a seasoned gin player, dominating tournaments. He dropped out of school to pursue gin rummy full-time, benefiting the Genovese family with his talent while they shielded him from other players offended by his brash playing style.

The Rise

Stu quickly outplayed the top gin players, famously forcing Harry "Yonkie" Stein into early retirement. With competition scarce, he shifted focus to poker. In 1976, Stu and his girlfriend moved to Las Vegas, where they married and had a daughter, Stephanie.

In 1980, at the World Series of Poker Main Event, Stu made history by defeating seasoned pros like Doyle Brunson, earning the nickname "The Kid" as the youngest champion. Despite winning the 1981 WSOP Main Event, Stu saw himself as more skilled in gin rummy than poker. After his first WSOP victory, he confidently declared that though better poker players might exist, none could match his prowess in gin rummy.

Stu also attempted blackjack, leveraging his skill and memory. However, casinos were less than thrilled and often barred him. In 1982, the New Jersey Gaming Commission fined him for alleged cheating, though he had merely used his extraordinary memory.

The Fall

Stu's love affair with drugs worsened by the 1990 WSOP. Leading the event for three days, he vanished only to be found unconscious in his hotel room from a drug overdose. Despite this setback, he still managed a ninth-place finish, securing funds that unfortunately fueled further addiction.

The Comeback

After a seven-year hiatus, Stu returned to the WSOP in 1997. Though financially broke and physically worn from cocaine and gambling addictions, he astonishingly reclaimed his WSOP title. Dubbed "The Comeback Kid" by the media, his revival was brief.

The End

Unable to afford the entry fee, Stu missed the 1998 WSOP. Tragically, just seven months after Scotty Nguyen's victory, Stu was found dead in a Las Vegas motel with only $800. His heart had succumbed to years of substance abuse.

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