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.[1]
| Puggy Pearson | |
|---|---|
 Puggy Pearson in the 1974 World Series of Poker | |
| Nickname(s) | Puggy |
| Residence | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Born | January 29, 1929 Adairville, Kentucky |
| Died | April 12, 2006 (aged 77) Las Vegas, Nevada |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Bracelet(s) | 4 |
| Money finish(es) | 9 |
| Highest ITM Main Event finish | Winner, 1973 |
Early years
editPearson 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.[2] 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.[3]
Professional poker career
editPrior 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.[4] 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.[5]
Pearson won his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet in the 1971 Limit Seven-Card Stud preliminary event.[6]
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.[7][8]
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♠.[9] With the Main Event victory, Pearson became the first player in WSOP history to win three events in a single year.[10] 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.[11]
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."[12]
Pearson was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1987.[13]
World Series of Poker Bracelets
edit| 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
editPearson, who had a long history of heart problems, died on April 12, 2006.[14][15][16]
References
edit- ^ Moravec, Daniel (October 2, 2013). "Famous Poker Player Biographies & History". Mac Poker Online. Archived from the original on November 30, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ Pajich, Bob (August 25, 2013). "Men of Action: Walter Clyde "Puggy" Pearson - Poker News". CardPlayer.com. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
- ^ Caldwell, John (April 13, 2006). "Legend of Poker: Walter Clyde 'Puggy' Pearson 1929-2006". Pokernews.com. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
- ^ Lucas, Adam (September 24, 2022). "Puggy Pearson - Poker Player Profile". PokerListings. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ "World Series of Poker: A Retrospective: 1970 Summary". UNLV.edu. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
- ^ "2nd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1971 - Limit 7 Card Stud - Event 1 - Poker Tournaments - Results". CardPlayer Magazine. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ Kaplan, Michael (July 16, 2019). "The scrappy, seedy origins of the World Series of Poker". New York Post. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ Wilson, Des (October 2007). "Collusion and Confusion at the WSOP – Ghosts at the Table". PokerPlayer Magazine. Archived from the original on April 21, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2011.
- ^ "Poker tournament pioneer 'Puggy' Pearson dies". Las Vegas Sun. April 14, 2006. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
- ^ Duckworth, Tim (June 24, 2022). "World Series of Poker 23-Year Streak Continues with Dan Zack Win". Sporting News. Archived from the original on April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ Oresteen, Paul (April 2, 2009). "WSOP NEWS: 37 Puggy Pearson". WSOP.com. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
- ^ "A History of the World Series Of Poker: - Puggy "The Roving Gambler" Pearson (1973)". PartyPoker. June 17, 2013. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
- ^ Pajich, Bob (April 12, 2006). ""Puggy" Pearson, Poker Hall of Famer, Has Died". Card Player. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
- ^ Allan, Elkan (April 17, 2006). "Walter 'Puggy' Pearson". The Guardian. Archived from the original on October 28, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ Gower, Diana (April 26, 2006). "Puggy Pearson". The Independent. Archived from the original on July 22, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ Coren, Victoria (April 28, 2006). "How to play poker". The Guardian. Archived from the original on May 9, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2023.