Doyle F. Brunson (created August 10, 1933) is an American poker player who has played professionally for over 50 years. He’s a two time World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event winner, a Poker Hall of Fame inductee, as well as the writer of many books on poker.
He’s also one of just four players to have won the Main Event in the World Series of Poker multiple times, which he did in 1976 and 1977. He’s also one of just two players, along with Bill Boyd, to have won WSOP tournaments in four successive years. Additionally, he’s the first of five players to win the WSOP Main Event along with a World Poker Tour title. In January 2006, “Bluff Magazine” voted Brunson the most powerful power on earth of poker.
Brunson continues to play in the greatest poker games on the planet, including a $4000/$8000 limitation miscellaneous poker game in “Bobby’s Room” in the Bellagio. He also plays in a lot of the largest poker tournaments all over the world. Early each day on July 1, 2005, less than a week after Chan had won his 10th gold bracelet (presented to every WSOP tournament victor) – establishing a fresh record – Brunson tied him at the 2005 WSOP. He’s now three bracelets behind Phil Hellmuth, who earned his 13th bracelet in the 2012 World Series of Poker Europe. Brunson’s nickname, “Texas Dolly,” came from a blunder by Jimmy Snyder. Snyder was likely to declare Brunson as “Texas Doyle,” but erroneously pronounced the first name as Dolly. It stuck, and a lot of Brunson’s fellow top experts today only refer to Brunson as “Dolly.” Brunson has two Texas hold’em hands named after him. In both 1976 and 1977, he was an underdog in the last hand. He shifts his wording in Super/System 2, nevertheless, noting that he “strives to never play this hand.”
Doyle F. Brunson , Texas Dolly , The Godfather of Poker , Big Papa , Poker's Living Legend
Movies
The Grand
TV Shows
High Stakes Poker, National Heads-Up Poker Championship, Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament, Intercontinental Poker Championship, World Series of Poker 2003
Star Sign
Leo
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Quote
1
In a big no-limit game against tough opponents, you should never show a quality lay-down unless you intend to call in the future. When you are floundering around in the ocean, it's stupid to drop bait for the sharks.
2
I'm a gambler. I'll always be one. I couldn't be anything else. So, my life will always be full of wins and losses. I wouldn't have it any other way. It's exciting. There's never been a dull moment in my life.
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Fact
1
Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1988.
2
Won bracelets at World Series of Poker in Deuce to Seven Draw (1977), Seven-Card Stud Split (1977), Seven-Card Stud (1978), Mixed Doubles (with Starla Brodie) (1979), No Limit Hold'em (1991), Razz (1998), H.O.R.S.E. (2003) and No Limit Shorthanded Texas Hold'em (2005).
He joins Joe Hachem, Scotty Nguyen, Carlos Mortensen and "Action" Dan Harrington, as being the only five people to have won both the World Series of Poker Main Event and a World Poker Tour (2003) title. Doyle won both the 1976 and 1977 WSOP main events and the 2004 Bicycle Casino Legends of Poker WPT event.
5
His nickname "Texas Dolly" came from Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder, who incorrectly read his name on a sheet of paper. Snyder was supposed to announce Brunson as "Texas Doyle" (since he was from the state of Texas), but instead he said "Texas Dolly" and the name stuck.
6
He refuses to play the starting hand of Ace-Queen, despite it being considered a premium starting hand. He mentions this fact on page 519 of his famous book "Super System".
7
When he won his record tenth World Series of Poker bracelet in 2005, he won it somewhat by mistake on his part. The starting hand that he held was 10-3, and he mistook it for his trademark hand, 10-2. When he re-raised and pushed all in and was called by his opponent, he saw that he was holding a 10-3 and admitted at the table "I thought it was the 10-2." The hand however turned out to be a winner, as a 3 came out on the flop and nothing for his opponent, even on the Turn or River. Doyle had won the game with a pair of threes, and thus his tenth World Series of Poker bracelet.
8
The reason that 10-2 is his favorite hand to play, is because he won the 1976 and 1977 World Series of Poker Main Events back to back in subsequent years with it. Both times his winning hand turned out to be a full house, tens full of deuces.
9
His favorite hand to play is 10-2. Hence, this hand is known amongst poker players as the "Doyle Brunson" or "Texas Dolly".
10
Finished 53rd out 2,576 players at the 2004 World Series of Poker Main Event, earning him about $60,000.
11
Won the Bicycle Casino's 2004 Legends of Poker tournament, earning him $1,000,000.
12
Won the 1976 and 1977 World Championship bracelet in the World Series of Poker (No Limit Texas Hold'em).
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Grand
2007
Poker Pro
Rounders: Inside Professional Poker
1998
Video short
World Series of Poker Champion
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Lucky You
2007
poker consultant
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Rounders
1998
the producers wish to thank
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
KidPoker
2015
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Post Oak Bluff
2015
Documentary
Himself
Post Oak Bluff: The Politics of Poker
2015
Documentary
Himself
2010 World Series of Poker
2010
TV Series
Himself
National Heads-Up Poker Championship
2010
TV Series
Himself (2010)
2009 World Series of Poker
2009
TV Series
Himself
30 for 30
2009
TV Series documentary
Himself
Poker After Dark
2007-2009
TV Series
Himself
National Heads-Up Poker Championship
2009
TV Series
Himself (2009)
National Heads-Up Poker Championship
2008
TV Mini-Series
Himself
High Stakes Poker
2006-2007
TV Series
Himself
National Heads-Up Poker Championship
2007
TV Series
Himself (2007)
Lucky You
2007
Himself
£50 Says You'll Watch This
2007
TV Series documentary 2007
The Players at the Table
2007
Video documentary short
Himself
No Limit: A Search for the American Dream on the Poker Tournament Trail
$75 Million
