Puggy Pearson
Encyclopedia
Walter Clyde Pearson was an American
professional poker
player. He is best known as the 1973 World Series of Poker
World Champion.
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. 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 terms. He strengthened his skills at poker and gambling while in the service.
in the early 1950s. Dandalos later brought the idea to legendary casino owner Benny Binion
. 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 won the 1973 World Series of Poker
(WSOP) main event when his A♠ 7♠ defeated Johnny Moss
's J♠. He won four bracelets, two of which were in seven-card stud
.
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 links. He even owned a van he called the Rovina Gambler, with this painted on the side: I'll play any man from any land any game he can name for any amount he can count, provided I like it.
Pearson was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame
in 1987.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional 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. He is best known as the 1973 World Series of Poker
World Series of Poker
The World Series of Poker is a world-renowned series of poker tournaments held annually in Las Vegas and, since 2005, sponsored by Harrah's Entertainment...
World Champion.
Early years
Pearson was born and raised in TennesseeTennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
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. He dropped out of school in the fifth grade, and at the age of 17 he joined the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, where he served three terms. He strengthened his skills at poker and gambling while in the service.
Professional poker
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" DandolosNick the Greek
Nicholas Andreas "Nick the Greek" Dandolos was born in Rethymnon, Crete and was a professional gambler and high roller.-Early life:...
in the early 1950s. Dandalos later brought the idea to legendary casino owner Benny Binion
Benny Binion
Lester Ben "Benny" Binion was a well-known American casino owner, mobster, poker enthusiast, and convicted felon.-Early history:...
. After further urging by Pearson, Amarillo Slim
Amarillo Slim
Thomas Austin Preston, Jr. , known as Amarillo Slim, is an American professional gambler known for his poker skills and proposition bets...
, and Doyle Brunson
Doyle Brunson
Doyle F. Brunson is an American professional poker player who has played professionally for over 50 years. He is the first two-time World Series of Poker main event champion to win consecutively, a Poker Hall of Fame inductee, and the author of several books on poker.Brunson is the first player to...
, all of whom felt that such a tournament would create great side (cash) game action, Binion founded the World Series of Poker
World Series of Poker
The World Series of Poker is a world-renowned series of poker tournaments held annually in Las Vegas and, since 2005, sponsored by Harrah's Entertainment...
in 1970.
Pearson won the 1973 World Series of Poker
1973 World Series of Poker
The 1973 World Series of Poker was held at Binion's Horseshoe. This year marked the first year a single player won more than one preliminary World Series of Poker event.-Preliminary events:-Final table:...
(WSOP) main event when his A♠ 7♠ defeated 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...
's J♠. He won four bracelets, two of which were in seven-card stud
Seven-card stud
Seven-card stud is a variant of stud poker. Until the recent increase in popularity of Texas hold 'em, seven-card stud was the most popular poker variant in home games across the United States, and in casinos in the eastern part of the country. Two to eight players is common, though eight may...
.
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 links. He even owned a van he called the Rovina Gambler, with this painted on the side: I'll play any man from any land any game he can name for any amount he can count, provided I like it.
Pearson was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame
Poker Hall of Fame
The Poker Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional poker playing in the United States. Founded and located in Las Vegas, Nevada, it was created in 1979 by Benny Binion, the owner of the Horseshoe Casino, to preserve the names and legacies of the world's greatest poker players and to serve...
in 1987.
World Series of Poker Bracelets
| Year | Tournament | Prize (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 1971 World Series of Poker The 1971 World Series of Poker was a series of poker tournaments held at Binion's Horseshoe during May 1–15, 1971. This was only the second installment of the World Series of Poker, but unlike at the 1970 event, freezeout tournaments were played to decide the winner of the main title. The... |
Limit Seven Card Stud | $10,000 |
| 1973 1973 World Series of Poker The 1973 World Series of Poker was held at Binion's Horseshoe. This year marked the first year a single player won more than one preliminary World Series of Poker event.-Preliminary events:-Final table:... |
$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 of a heart attack on April 12, 2006.External links
- Guardian article by Victoria Coren
- CardPlayer article by Jeff Shulman
- Hendon Mob tournament results
- http://www.wnypoker.com/forums/showthread.php?p=81528