Sports Bettor, Poker Player Dink Denkenson Passes AwayGambler Was Inspiration For 2012 Film 'Lay The Favorite' |
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A well-known and popular Las Vegas poker player and sports gambler died just days ago at the age of 69 due to illness.
According to reports on social media, Alan Denkenson, commonly referred to as “Dink,” passed away at the end of August. He reportedly was fighting cancer for at least several months.
Denkenson was the inspiration behind the 2012 movie called Lay the Favorite, in which Bruce Willis plays a character by the name of Dink Heimowitz. The drama-comedy involved the world of sports betting and was based on a 2010 book written by one of his assistants when he worked as a bookmaker. He reportedly was skilled at making bets as well.
The gambler was also featured in the 2016 documentary The Best Of It.
“Devastated to hear of the passing of Alan ‘Dink’ Denkenson,” said journalist David Hill. “I met him in 2016 when I profiled him for Vice, and we remained friends. He took me to underground wrestling matches, helped my kids pick horses at Saratoga, and let me accompany him on dog walks. He was sweet, kind, and open. He loved to help people out. And, just as he did with me, he was always willing to make new friends and bring people into his life. He cared about horses and raised tons of money for aftercare. His passing leaves a huge hole. He will be missed. RIP.”
Many more remembered the gambler fondly. Denkenson had connections to high-stakes underground poker games in New York City decades ago.
“Legendary sports bettor and gambler Alan ‘Dink’ Denkenson has died at the age of 69,” said another person on Twitter. “He fought a courageous battle with cancer. He was known throughout the gambling community and was said to be inspiration for Bruce Willis’s character in the film Lay The Favorite. May he RIP.”
Denkenson’s best cash in a public poker tournament was his $57,465 cash for a sixth-place finish in the 2018 $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em Super Seniors at the World Series of Poker. Nearly 2,200 people played in that event, with Dink falling just short of a $311,451 top prize.
According to reports, Dink always referred to himself as a sports bettor first and poker player second. Many in the gambling community remember him as a friend.
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