Stu Ungar, often hailed as one of the greatest poker players in history, possessed unmatched skills not only in poker but also in gin rummy. However, his life’s story is a poignant tale of immense talent overshadowed by personal demons.
Early Life and Introduction to Gambling
Stuart Ungar, raised in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, was exposed to gambling at a young age, thanks to his father’s involvement as a bookmaker and loan shark. Stu’s initiation into the world of gambling began with underground gin rummy games in New York City while he was still in school. Despite his father’s attempts to dissuade him from gambling, Stu’s path was set.
Tragedy struck when Stu’s father passed away when he was just 14, leaving him free to roam the city’s streets. This newfound freedom led him into the realm of organized crime.
From Gin Rummy to Poker in Las Vegas
At the age of 18, Stu Ungar’s exceptional gin rummy skills made him a prominent figure in New York City’s gambling circles. However, mounting debts from racetracks prompted him to leave the city in 1976 for the allure of Nevada, transitioning to poker.
Stu’s fiery temper and formidable poker prowess quickly earned him a reputation in Las Vegas. By the early 1980s, he had established himself as a skilled poker player and made history in 1980 by winning the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, earning him the nickname “The Kid.”
In 1981, Ungar faced controversy when a heated altercation resulted in allegations of spitting in a dealer’s face. Despite nearly being banned from defending his title, he triumphed again at the WSOP, defeating Perry Green.
Stu Ungar’s third and final WSOP win came in 1997, marking an epic comeback. Yet, his battles with personal demons persisted.
The Personal Demons
Despite his poker genius, Stu Ungar grappled with personal demons throughout his life. Following his mother’s death in 1979, he turned to cocaine, becoming addicted. Tragedy struck again in 1989 with the suicide of his stepson, leading him to alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism.
In a harrowing incident during the 1990 WSOP Main Event, Ungar was found unresponsive due to a drug overdose. Despite this setback, he managed to finish ninth and pocket $25,000.
Although he aimed to start afresh in 1997, Stu Ungar’s struggles persisted. In November 1998, he was found dead in a Las Vegas motel, a victim of a heart condition aggravated by years of drug abuse.
Legacy of Stu Ungar
Stu Ungar’s legacy endures as one of poker’s greatest talents. He secured five WSOP bracelets and amassed over $3.6 million in tournament winnings. His victories at the Super Bowl of Poker in 1984, 1988, and 1989 further solidified his status as a poker legend.
Posthumously, Stu Ungar was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2001, and his life has been the subject of numerous biographies and films, chronicling his extraordinary rise and tragic fall.
While he amassed a fortune during the 1980s, it evaporated over the years, leaving him practically broke despite his 1997 WSOP triumph.
Stu Ungar’s enduring legacy is twofold: he was undeniably the finest gin rummy player to emerge from New York City, and his unique combination of temperament, charisma, and skill at the WSOP remains unmatched in the world of poker.