Doyle Brunson has played professionally for over 50 years and has managed to win 10 WSOP Gold Bracelets during this time (35 WSOP cashes in total). Brunson is turning 79 years old later this year and of course he doesn't have the same engery anymore to play lots of poker tournaments and traveling. However, it still seems like we will see him taking part in up to 5 events at this WSOP...
In his latest blog, 'Getting old is tough but it is the only way to a long life', he wrote that he plans on playing 4-5 events at this World Series of Poker, including $10,000 HORSE, the $50,000 Players Championship, and the $10,000 2-7 lowball.
Below is the full version of Getting old is tough but it is the only way to a long life:
The WSOP has started and I'm getting a lot of questions about how many events I'm going to play. I have to admit I'm getting old so im planning on playing in very few (4-5) events. I've never really been into the bracelet race but I do like to compete. I'm extremely lucky that I have the energy and endurance to play in more tournaments but it isn't logical to push myself. I like to quit after nine or tem hours and if you go deep in some of these tournaments, some days understandably have to be longer. The only tournaments I'm sure about playing in are the $10,000 HORSE, the $50,000 Players Championship, and the $10,000 2-7 lowball. I may or may not play in the Main Event.
I made a bet I might regret. I laid $100,000 to 10,000 that the winner of the Main Event will be younger than 41. While I know there are a few older players that could win the title, the sheer magnitude of the number of younger guys will probably prevail. But 10-1 is a bit of an overlay now that I've had time to think about it.
This is for those who asked for another story about poker game robberies. We were playing in Lubbock, Texas in a high stakes game in the early 60;s. There were lots of holdem players in that town and the road gamblers were starting to come to the game regularly. There was a young bookmaker named Tooter who was at almost every game. Tooter won lots of money booking sports but he was a bad poker player and lost consistently.
He was an unusual person. He was 5ft 6 inches tall and weighed over 400 pounds. He also spoke with a lisp and was very vocal. One night he was losing very badly, going broke time and time again. Finally he left, storming out the door yelling at the players. He went home, got his shotgun, put on a ski mask and came back to the poker game. He screamed out, "put your hands up, I'm taking your money." Well, there aren't very many 5ft 6 inches tall that weigh 400 pounds and of course everybody recognized him. Bill Smith a future WSOP main event winner, said to him, "Come on Tooter, put the gun down and sit down and play." Tooter replied, "Thith isn't Tooter. Thith is a wobber." Everybody started laughing so he took his mask off, sat down and borrowed some money. He went broke again and left for the night. That story is legendary in Texas poker history.
Whoops, I'm getting WSOP fever sitting here. I hope the cash games are good so I don't play any tournaments for a while.
May the flop be with you!
Doyle Brunson