Stu Ungar: Welcome to the Hall of Fame - Part II

Stu Ungar is a poker legend. His record in no-limit hold'em championship events is by far the best in history. He will be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame posthumously on May 14 at Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas, and he deserves this honor.

Ungar's talent was extraordinary, and he had more "heart" than anyone I've ever seen. At the table, he was a fearless, relentless warrior. It seemed as though he raised every pot. His sense of timing and feel were uncanny, and he knew when to pick up a pot like no one else who has ever played the game. Like many, I believe Ungar was the greatest no-limit hold'em player of all time. (For more on Ungar, see Part I of this column in the last issue of Card Player.)

Ungar is not only a poker legend, he is a gambling legend. He was the ultimate high roller. He got the attention of every pit boss and race and sportsbook manager in Las Vegas. They may have let him play, but trust me, they feared his action. As for bookies, well, Ungar bet whatever they would let him bet (and it didn't matter much to Stuey whether he had money or not – he fired with both hands).

Ungar's gambling stories are plentiful and legendary. My favorites are the golf stories, many of which I witnessed. For example, the first time he ever walked on a golf course in his life, he lost $80,000. Incredibly, he didn't even make it to the first tee before losing his money. He lost it on the putting green! (He lost to Jack Strauss, also a high-stakes gambler and former world poker champion.) In the history of the world, do you think that ever happened before or since?

Stuey was a sight to see on the golf course. He looked like he was 15 years old, weighed 105 pounds, wore golf gloves on both hands, played from the ladies tee markers, never stopped talking (or betting), and used a tee on every shot. That's right, he used a tee on every shot, including those from the rough, sand traps, and water hazards. On most days, he couldn't break 100 even with this spot, yet he gambled sky-high. No one created action on the golf course like Stu Ungar. His problem was that he loved to gamble too much, and he took bad games just to be in action. I would estimate that he lost several million dollars playing golf in his lifetime.

You must understand that gamblers are not golf purists. They simply love action. Golf is a great game for guys to gamble regardless of skill level, because of being able to "match up." With the right spot, for example, I could play Tiger Woods for money. I would probably need to play a scramble with three balls from the ladies tees while Tiger played one ball from the tips, but I could "match up" to where I think I would have the best of it, or at least have a fair game. Once you match up, you bet on it. (Incidentally, if anyone knows Tiger, call him to see if he'll play me this game.)

Ungar was very funny and had the quickest wit of anyone I've ever known. To give you an idea of how quick his mind was, here are two entertaining Stu Ungar "quick wit" stories.

Once, a group of us went to Palm Springs, California, to play golf. Four of us went to dinner one night at a place that was recommended to be the best in town. We got there and it was packed. We made our way to the maitre d' and told him that we wanted a table for four. He asked if we had reservations and we told him that we didn't. He said there was no way that he could fit us in. Stuey gave him a $100 bill and told him that if anything opened up, we would be at the bar. Ungar always let Benjamin Franklin make his reservations.

We got to the bar and lined up four across. The bartender asked, "What'll you have?" The first guy ordered a Scotch and water, I ordered a beer, and Stuey ordered a rum and Coke. The bartender looked at him and said, "I need to see some ID." Stuey hollered at him, "What are you talking about? I'm 35 years old!" The bartender said, "Well, you might be, but you look young to me, and if you don't have any ID, I can't serve you."

Without hesitation, Stuey said to him, "You want to see some ID? I'll show you some ID." He then quickly put both hands into his front pockets and pulled out two rolls of cash that consisted of $10,000 each. He slammed them on the bar, pointed at them, and said, "There. There's my ID. Do you think any teenager would be carrying around that kind of money?" The bartender nodded, smiled, and said, "You know, you've got a good point there. What'll you have?" Just about then, the maitre d' came over to tell us that our table was ready, and it was the best table in the house.

Once during the World Series of Poker, I was talking to Stuey when Al Ethier ("Al J.") was walking toward us. To say that Al J. was a tight poker player in those days is like saying the Baltimore Ravens had an OK defense last year or Michael Jordan could play a little hoops. Al J. was a rock!

So, as he got close to us, Stuey said loudly, "Mike, you can't believe the nightmare I had last night." I said, "Really?" Stuey continued, "I broke out in a cold sweat. I'm not kidding you, it was the worst nightmare of my life." I asked, "What was it about?" And Stuey blurted out, "I dreamed I was playing Al J. a heads-up no-limit hold'em freezeout – with no blinds and no antes!" It was classic.

I loved Stu Ungar. I saw his kindness and know the love and devotion that he had for his daughter, Stefanie. He worshipped her. I can't imagine that we will ever see another player with his talent. Stuey, congratulations on your induction into the Hall of Fame, and thanks for the memories.

Here's some exciting news. Nolan Dalla is writing Behind the Shades, the life story of Stu Ungar (due out this summer). I've read parts of it, and I'm telling you, this book is powerful and riveting. I believe that it will reach far beyond the poker world. It wouldn't surprise me if it becomes a best seller and an Academy Award-winning movie. It's that good.

Take care.

Mike Sexton can be reached by E-mail at: [email protected].