A Champion Remembered

Sadly, we have to deal around Brian Saltus now. Saltus, the 2001 winner of the Tournament of Champions, is no longer with us. Although the poker world – make that the entire world – has suffered a great loss, he will not be forgotten, especially by those of us who were fortunate to know him. He will forever be a champion remembered.

Brian was a class act with a capital C. He succumbed to cancer, after a long battle, on July 8. He would not like us to spend time grieving over his passing; it wasn't his style. He was a man who never complained about his illness or even mentioned it until asked. He would rather we talk about the times we enjoyed with him.

I got to know Brian at the 2001 Tournament of Champions. He was a genuinely nice person, and had a most calm demeanor about him. He was always cheerful and positive, and he had that mischievous little smile. He won a $500 buy-in no-limit hold'em tournament just two days prior to the TOC, so I was already impressed with his play. Then, he made it to the final table of the TOC. Whoa! How good was this guy from Boise, Idaho?

He played beautifully to get down to the final four. There, it was Brian and three of the best tournament players in the world – T.J. Cloutier, Scotty Nguyen, and "Miami" John Cernuto. No one in the room gave him a chance of winning. He not only won, he truly played the best poker at the final table.

Although his poker performance was impressive, it didn't compare to his eloquent and heartwarming impromptu victory speech moments after his win. He absolutely wowed the crowd, and it was a moment in time that none of us will ever forget. It was the most inspirational and moving speech I have ever heard. It consisted of a variety of topics, including his appreciation for being able to play against such great players, poker, life, and the obstacles he had to overcome to be able to live, let alone compete at anything. It was filled with a love for family and gratitude for the gift of life. I'm telling you, that speech will forever be embedded in the minds of those of us who were fortunate enough to be there. It belongs in a frame hung on the wall – of every house in the world!

Following the 2001 TOC, Brian's health started deteriorating rather quickly, so his tournament ventures declined. His love of poker hadn't diminished, however, and he started playing online. He set a goal to earn his way into the finals of the PartyPoker.com Million. He won not one, but two seats into the PPM finals. This pleased him immensely, as he could then take more family on the trip. He cleared it with his doctor to discontinue his cancer treatment and go on the ship. Both he and his doctor knew it would be his last hurrah.

Brian was very grateful and appreciative to be on that ship. It gave him time, of which he had little, to spend with his family and poker friends. Everyone in that tournament was thrilled he was there. He taught all of us how to better cope with whatever hand is dealt us. He demonstrated incredible courage, grace, and dignity in his battle with cancer. I don't see how one could meet a finer person or how poker could have a better representative than Brian Saltus.

At the finals, PartyPoker.com and Card Player Cruises presented the first "Amateur Poker Player of the Year" award to Brian Saltus. This award will be presented annually to an individual who distinguishes himself by his play and by the way he conducts himself at and away from the table. Who better to win the inaugural award than Brian Saltus? Again, Brian hit a home run with his heartfelt acceptance speech. In his honor, this award henceforth will be known as "The Brian Saltus Award."

Life must be tough when you know your days are numbered. If Brian felt that way, however, you never knew it. He didn't have a "tell" about his hardships in life. He was just a delightful man whom we all admired deeply. I know I am a better person today for having had the privilege to know him. I only wish everyone could have met him.

In a tribute to Brian on the rgp (rec.gambling.poker) newsgroup, one poster said, "His victory and speech at the 2001 TOC are two of poker's all-time great highlights." I couldn't agree more.

Brian, thanks for the memories.

Take care.