Hal Fowler
Encyclopedia
Harold Arthur "Hal" Fowler (January 12, 1927 – November 7, 2000) was an American
poker
player known for winning the 1979 World Series of Poker Main Event. He is considered the first amateur poker player to become poker's World Champion.
Fowler was born in Vermont
and later lived for many years in Tulare, California
. Before his WSOP victory, he worked as an advertising executive.
main event. At one time, he was down to around $2,000 in chips (out of over $500,000) at a final table that included Johnny Moss
, Bobby Baldwin
, and other professional players. Additionally, it is believed that Fowler could not cover the entrance fee and Benny Binion
had to loan it to him. Fowler's 1979 win is sometimes called the greatest upset in the history of the WSOP.
Fowler defeated Bobby Hoff
heads up to win the championship when his 7/6 off suit made a gut-shot straight and defeated Hoff's pocket aces.
Fowler would later fade from the poker scene because of complications from diabetes that hurt his eyesight and his leg
s.
Fowler's career tournament earnings exceeded $380,000.
He died at age 73 in a nursing home on November 7, 2000.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
poker
Poker
Poker is a family of card games that share betting rules and usually hand rankings. Poker games differ in how the cards are dealt, how hands may be formed, whether the high or low hand wins the pot in a showdown , limits on bet sizes, and how many rounds of betting are allowed.In most modern poker...
player known for winning the 1979 World Series of Poker Main Event. He is considered the first amateur poker player to become poker's World Champion.
Fowler was born in Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
and later lived for many years in Tulare, California
Tulare, California
Tulare is a city in Tulare County, California, United States. The population was 59,278 at the 2010 census.Just eight miles south of Visalia, it is part of the Census Bureau's designation of the Visalia Metropolitan Area. The city is named for the currently dry Tulare Lake, once the largest...
. Before his WSOP victory, he worked as an advertising executive.
Poker
Although a relative unknown amateur player, Fowler won the 1979 World Series of Poker1979 World Series of Poker
The 1979 World Series of Poker was held at Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.-Preliminary events:-Main Event:There were 54 entrants to the main event. Each paid $10,000 to enter the tournament. Fowler was the first amateur to win the WSOP...
main event. At one time, he was down to around $2,000 in chips (out of over $500,000) at a final table that included Johnny Moss
Johnny Moss
Johnny Moss was a gambler and professional poker player. He was the first winner of the World Series of Poker Main Event, at the time a cash game event in which he was awarded the title by the vote of his peers in 1970, He also twice won the current tournament format of the WSOP Main Event in...
, Bobby Baldwin
Bobby Baldwin
Bobby Baldwin is a professional poker player, off-road racer and casino executive. As a poker player, Baldwin is best known as the 1978 world champion, becoming the youngest main event champion at that time....
, and other professional players. Additionally, it is believed that Fowler could not cover the entrance fee and Benny Binion
Benny Binion
Lester Ben "Benny" Binion was a well-known American casino owner, mobster, poker enthusiast, and convicted felon.-Early history:...
had to loan it to him. Fowler's 1979 win is sometimes called the greatest upset in the history of the WSOP.
Fowler defeated Bobby Hoff
Bobby Hoff
Bobby "The Wizard" Hoff is an American professional poker player, based in Long Beach, California. According to Hoff, his nickname "The Wizard" refers to his ability to make mountains of chips disappear.-Early years:...
heads up to win the championship when his 7/6 off suit made a gut-shot straight and defeated Hoff's pocket aces.
Fowler would later fade from the poker scene because of complications from diabetes that hurt his eyesight and his leg
Human leg
The human leg is the entire lower extremity or limb of the human body, including the foot, thigh and even the hip or gluteal region; however, the precise definition in human anatomy refers only to the section of the lower limb extending from the knee to the ankle.Legs are used for standing,...
s.
Fowler's career tournament earnings exceeded $380,000.
He died at age 73 in a nursing home on November 7, 2000.
World Series of Poker bracelet
| Year | Tournament | Prize Money (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 1979 World Series of Poker The 1979 World Series of Poker was held at Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.-Preliminary events:-Main Event:There were 54 entrants to the main event. Each paid $10,000 to enter the tournament. Fowler was the first amateur to win the WSOP... |
$10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship | $270,000 |