Puggy Pearson
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox poker player
Walter Clyde "Puggy" Pearson (January 29, 1929 – April 12, 2006) was an American professional poker player. He is best known as the 1973 World Series of Poker Main Event winner.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Early years
Pearson was born in Kentucky and raised in Tennessee in a family with nine siblings. He got his nickname "Puggy" from a childhood accident that left him with a disfigured nose at the age of twelve.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He dropped out of school in the fifth grade, and at the age of 17, he joined the United States Navy, where he served three tours. He strengthened his skills at poker and gambling while in the Navy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Professional poker career
Prior to 1949, all poker games were cash games; a player could cash out his chips and leave at any time. Pearson originated the idea of a freezeout tournament and shared his idea with fellow gambler "Nick the Greek" Dandolos in the early 1950s. Dandolos later brought the idea to legendary casino owner Benny Binion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After further urging by Pearson, Amarillo Slim, and Doyle Brunson, all of whom felt that such a tournament would create great side (cash) game action, Binion founded the World Series of Poker in 1970. Pearson participated in the first World Series of Poker that year along with Amarillo Slim, Doyle Brunson, Sailor Roberts, Crandell Addington, and Carl Cannon.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Pearson won his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet in the 1971 Limit Seven-Card Stud preliminary event.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Pearson was involved in a controversial ending to the 1972 WSOP Main Event. He ended up being the runner-up to Amarillo Slim, but there was a question of fair play.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="dw">Template:Cite web</ref>
In 1973, Pearson won two preliminary events in the WSOP. In the same World Series, he won the Main Event when his A♠ 7♠ defeated Johnny Moss's K♥ J♠.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> With the Main Event victory, Pearson became the first player in WSOP history to win three events in a single year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This record has since been matched by five others. He won four bracelets, two of which were in seven-card stud and two of which were No limit hold'em.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Pearson was known as a man who would always seek out the biggest game in town, whether it was in the poker room or on the golf course. He owned a RV, which he called the Roving Gambler, with this painted on the side: "I'll play any man from any land any game he can name for any amount I can count, provided I like it."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Pearson was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1987.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
World Series of Poker Bracelets
| Year | Tournament | Prize (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Limit Seven-Card Stud | $10,000 |
| 1973 | $10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship | $130,000 |
| 1973 | $1,000 No Limit Hold'em | $17,000 |
| 1973 | $4,000 Limit Seven-Card Stud | $32,000 |
Death
Pearson, who had a long history of heart problems, died on April 12, 2006.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
References
External links
Template:WSOP Main Event champions Template:1970s WSOP Bracelet Winners Template:Poker Hall of Fame