Oziumrules 0 Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/poker/news/story?id=2408564Poker has lost one of its true legends. Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1987, Walter Clyde "Puggy" Pearson died April 12 at the age of 77.Pearson played in the first World Series of Poker in 1970 and won the event in 1973 for a $10,000 first prize.Many do not know about his influence on the game. Pearson created the freeze-out tournament structure that the majority of players play today. In the freeze-out structure, players receive only one starting stack of chips and once they bust out, their tournament is over. In 1972, the freeze-out became the format for the World Series of Poker.Even in childhood, Pearson was seen as a gambler, an innovator and a risk-taker.As one of 10 children, Pearson left school at age 10 to help his family in Tennessee. Around that time, Pearson was showing some friends his newfound talent of walking on his hands. Some floorboards gave way, causing Pearson to fall, hitting the ground face-first. His nose, flattened by the fall, was the inspiration for his famous nickname "Puggy."Pearson was also known for his sense of humor and provided one of the best poker quotes in history: "I'll play any man from any land any game he can name for any amount he can count ... provided I like it." Professional poker player Mark Seif spoke to the poker great only a few times but took a tremendous amount away from the colorful character."Puggy once said, 'The best thing a poker player can do is find a great woman. It will take his game to new levels.' I did that and found he was absolutely right."Seif heeded Pearson's advice and recently tied the knot. "Puggy kept things in perspective," Seif said. "He knew how important it was to control your inner demons. He was a smart man."Pearson will be missed in poker circles, especially the final table of the WSOP main event, where he routinely sang prior to the beinning of the final day of play.Pearson was born Jan. 29, 1929, in Adairville, Ky. He is survived by his companion of 16 years, Simin Habibian of Las Vegas; his daughter, Andrea Elaine Phelan of Nashville, Tenn.; a son, Stephen Mark Pearson of Las Vegas; one grandson, Walter Frank Phelan of Nashville; a brother, J.C. Pearson of Las Vegas; and two sisters, Bobbie Jean Bailey of Florida and Gladys Gracie Pearson of Clarksville, Tenn. Link to post Share on other sites
nutzbuster 7 Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 Great post Oze. May Puggy R.I.P. Link to post Share on other sites
TB17 0 Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 been on cardplayer for at least a week Link to post Share on other sites
Oziumrules 0 Posted April 15, 2006 Author Share Posted April 15, 2006 been on cardplayer for at least a weekI didnt know if was posted here though. Link to post Share on other sites
anselm 0 Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 Wait so he died on the 12th, yet it's been on Cardplayer for at least a week? Damn those Shulmans are good. Link to post Share on other sites
TB17 0 Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 I'm the best at exaggerating. Link to post Share on other sites
HoosierAlum 0 Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 R.I.P. Link to post Share on other sites
ROGUE06 0 Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 Tough loss for the poker community, RIP. Link to post Share on other sites
econ_tim 0 Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 i thought this thread was going to be about a dog. Link to post Share on other sites
Oziumrules 0 Posted April 15, 2006 Author Share Posted April 15, 2006 i thought this thread was going to be about a dog.Not very nice Econ! I miss my Pugly!!! Link to post Share on other sites
econ_tim 0 Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 Not very nice Econ! sorry. just using my memory of past post to make an educated guess. and puggy could be a dog's name. Link to post Share on other sites
Oziumrules 0 Posted April 15, 2006 Author Share Posted April 15, 2006 sorry. just using my memory of past post to make an educated guess. and puggy could be a dog's name.Sorry, I thought you were making fun of the passing of my dog.....No Prob.http://www.fullcontactpoker.com/poker-foru...etting+birthday Link to post Share on other sites
Hobbes 1 Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 sorry. just using my memory of past post to make an educated guess. and puggy could be a dog's name.77 is pretty old for a dog. Link to post Share on other sites
econ_tim 0 Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 77 is pretty old for a dog. again, a reasonable age in dog years Link to post Share on other sites
mcpickl 0 Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 Wait so he died on the 12th, yet it's been on Cardplayer for at least a week? Damn those Shulmans are good.maybe theyve got Tritz' program and can see the future? Link to post Share on other sites
No_Neck 0 Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 Rest in Peace Puggy Link to post Share on other sites
FourFlusher 0 Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 They should deal him in one last time this year. Link to post Share on other sites
Golden 2 Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 RIP Puggy Link to post Share on other sites
ibthepenny 0 Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 RIP "Roaving Gambler" Link to post Share on other sites
fmlycar 0 Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 have a good rest mr. pearson Link to post Share on other sites
swahnroger 0 Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 R.I.P. Link to post Share on other sites
Madrox 0 Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 This is really sad. At least I got to hear him sing at the WSOP before he died.RIP Link to post Share on other sites
NortonFan 0 Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 One less shark in the waters. Link to post Share on other sites
ricker 0 Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 RIP Puggy...However, I'm confused on something...wasn't the buy in to the WSOP always 10k? So, why was first place only 10k in 1973? Inflation?Seems like a -EV situation if I ever heard of one... Link to post Share on other sites
Petoria 0 Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 Phil Hellmuth is probably crushed, he and Puggy were great friends.Phil made sure that Puggy sang his song at the beginning of the WSOP ME final table this past year. They almost forgot.RIP Puggy, poker will miss you. Link to post Share on other sites
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