Remembering Chad Brown

Once Chris Moneymaker captured the imagination of every player in 2003, poker became a worldwide phenomenon. Millions of people began playing poker, consequently the World Series of Poker (WSOP) exploded. In 2003, 839 players played in the main event and just three years later the number of registrants increased more than ten-fold to 8,772. To ride the momentum, ESPN decided to televise additional bracelet events beside just no-limit hold’em.

When I first started playing poker at casinos, seven-card stud was my game of choice. In the 1990’s, I barely knew what hold’em was. I would regularly play $5-$10 and $10-$20 at Foxwoods Resort Casino to earn extra spending money during my graduate school days.

Thus, in 2004, when ESPN aired its first non-hold’em event, Event #3: $1,500 seven-card stud bracelet event, I parked myself in front of the television and even taped the episode on my VCR (remember those machines?). During the final table, several story lines emerged, but none was bigger than the battle between five-time WSOP bracelet winner (since then, he has won two more) Men Nguyen and a relative unknown actor originally from New York, Chad Brown.

“The Master” was known as one of the best tournament players in the world, having won Card Player’s Player of the Year in 1997, 2001, 2003, and later again in 2005. During the telecast, Nguyen wanted everyone watching and his opponents at the table to recognize his poker prowess, almost becoming belligerent especially toward Chad. His adversarial actions created an interesting “good” versus “evil” subplot which most people, including myself, took the side of Chad’s calm, unwavering personality.

In the end, although Chad lost heads-up to the five-time bracelet winner Ted Forrest (who this summer won his sixth bracelet over Phil Hellmuth), this made-for-TV battle with “The Master” was discussed for weeks around the water cooler. Suddenly, a new superstar in poker named Chad Brown was born.

Ironically, this performance at the poker table led to a television gig for Chad. During this time, a producer was creating a new poker tournament for television and asked Chad’s agent is he was interested in hosting the show. Chad accepted, becoming known nationally as the tuxedo wearing host of the Ultimate Poker Challenge, which was the highest rated national syndicated poker show at the time. Each week, Chad would have a fellow pro alongside him as a guest host to provide commentary. As I watched the show week after week, I became inspired to not only play on the show, but also one day be one of Chad’s guest hosts. I would tape the shows and practice my commentating skills, dreaming that one day that I would join Chad on the set.

After my personal run at the 2005 WSOP main event, I began playing more on the tour and met Chad for the first time in 2006 at the World Poker Tour World Poker Finals at Foxwoods Resort Casino. We met during the $5,000 preliminary no-limit hold’em event. After introducing myself, I mentioned to him that I still remembered the 2004 ESPN stud final table telecast and liked his work on Ultimate Poker Challenge. Ever gracious and humble, Chad thanked me and told me to contact him anytime if I had any questions about poker or the media side of the business. I sincerely appreciated that gesture to this day.

Also, I remember him playing a very interesting hand, which we discussed at length afterward. In summary, a short-stacked Chad was all-in versus two players. Throughout the hand, Chad remained completely unwavering, representing that he had hit the board. As one of his opponents tried to win the side pot, Chad believed that he was bluffing. Thus, he continued to remain calm, making the other player fold a better hand. In the end, Chad correctly assessed the situation and his middle pair allowed him to triple up with a marginal hand. Afterward, Chad methodically explained his rationale to me and later wrote it in a column online. I was privileged to witness such a unique hand and more importantly, listen to the explanation by such a solid player. This discussion really made me look at playing tournament poker in a different way.

After bumping into Chad regularly on tour over the next couple of years and sharing a meal or two, I coincidentally hosted the WSOP livestream coverage of the 2009 WSOP $10,000 limit hold’em final table. Down to three-handed, Chad was the chip leader and looked like he would win his first WSOP bracelet, something he coveted. However, a crucial hand occurred between him and the eventual champion, Greg Mueller, where Chad had an ace-high flush and Greg had a straight flush. This flip-flopped the chip lead and led to Chad’s unfortunate demise in 3rd place. I knew how much the bracelet would have meant to Chad. I reluctantly congratulated him after his elimination, fearing he would not be in the mood to chat. However, I was so impressed by his poise and demeanor even during such a disappointing moment in his poker career. I always try to remember to be a true gentleman (not always successfully) even in the tough times like Chad.

Later that year, ESPN began airing its own poker news show, ESPN Inside Deal, which I was one of the hosts. During the first season, Chad was invited to be one of the guests. Unlike some other guests during the year, Chad was so comfortable in front of the camera, which made the taping just fly by. During the day, I also thought it was ironic that I was interviewing the person who first inspired me to dream about television hosting.

Overall, we had a great day on set, laughing and talking poker. It truly was one of my favorite days on ESPN Inside Deal and strengthened Chad and my friendship forever. When we spoke off camera, we talked about Chad’s mixed game prowess. Earlier that summer, I had written a column on ESPN.com discussing if a player truly wanted to win a bracelet to focus on the mixed games, which had smaller number of entrants. Wholeheartedly agreeing, Chad surprised me when he recommended seven-card stud eight-or- better, as he believed it was the game that most players misplayed. This suggestion inspired me to this day to master the game and hopefully one day win a bracelet in this game in Chad’s honor.

As ESPN Inside Deal entered its second season, I had a couple of conflicts with the shooting schedule that included family obligations and tournaments. The show’s producers had asked me if there was any player that I felt could sub for me when I was unavailable. I did not hesitate, suggesting Chad and everyone wholeheartedly agreed. A few weeks later, I saw Chad at the 2010 WSOP Regional Championship in Hammond, Indiana and asked him if he would be interested. He graciously accepted and was extremely thankful that I suggested him. To me, it was the least I could do to the man who originally inspired me to enter the poker world of television.

After it was publicly announced that Chad had cancer in 2011, I immediately left him a message sending my prayers and wishing him all the best. Of course, ever gracious, Chad quickly replied thanking me and looking forward to seeing me at the tables soon. Months later, when I had heard he was in remission, I quickly messaged him that I was so pleased that he had beaten the illness.

The last time I saw him in person was at the Pokerstars Caribbean Adventure in 2012. We chatted in the hallway for several minutes talking about his remission and overall health. Unfortunately, we had to cut our conversation short as he had a tournament to get to and I had to meet up with my family. We hoped to get together during the trip and maybe have dinner with my family. Sadly, this never came to fruition.

Unfortunately, Chad’s cancer returned over the last couple of years. Due to his illness, his playing schedule was dramatically reduced. Thus, our paths did not cross much on tour. I texted him over the years wishing him well with his battles versus cancer. Also, when he had his final run at Borgata earlier this year (runner-up finish in a preliminary event), I congratulated him via text and in his own humble way, he thanked me and said he hoped to catch up in person soon.

Unfortunately that would never happen. Chad passed away on July 2nd with his well-deserved honorary WSOP bracelet on his wrist. The world has lost a great person, friend and poker player. I want to thank him for all the wisdom and happiness he brought to the world and me. In this case, Billy Joel said it best, “Only the Good Die Young.”
RIP my friend. ♠

Note: Recently, I had a Chad Brown tribute on my radio show as I replayed my 2009 radio interview with my good friend. Take a listen here if you like.

http://www.roundersradio.com/index.php/current-shows/bernard-lee-poker-show/12112-the-bernard-lee-poker-show-07-08-14-with-a-tribute-to-the-late-chad-brown

Bernard Lee is a poker columnist for ESPN.com, author of “The Final Table, Volume I and II” and radio host of “The Bernard Lee Poker Show,” which can be found on RoundersRadio.com or via podcast on iTunes. Lee has over $2.1 million in career earnings, five career titles including his recent WSOP Circuit victory in Black Hawk, Colorado and is also a team member of RunGoodGear.com. Follow Bernard Lee on Twitter:
@BernardLeePoker or visit him at www.BernardLeePoker.com.