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Poker Community Celebrates Doyle Brunson Day (10-2) Oct. 2

Casinos, Online Cardrooms Launch Promotions To Commemorate The Late ‘Texas Dolly’

by Sean Chaffin  |  Published: Oct 02, 2023

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Doyle Brunson Credit: WPTDoyle Brunson famously won back-to-back World Series of Poker main event titles in 1976 and 1977 – and in both final hands the poker legend held 10-2. After the Texan’s passing this summer at age 89, the poker community agreed to designate Oct. 2 (10/2) as Doyle Brunson Day, a way to recognize the man who meant so much to the game.

Card rooms around the country are offering promotions and events as part of the remembrance. Online operators have gotten in the act as well with several special tournaments running throughout the day.

Celebration Of Life Video

PokerGO marked the day with the release of footage from the “Doyle Brunson: Celebration of Life” ceremony.

The event was held this summer during the WSOP and featured some of the biggest names in the game taking the stage with their own memories including Doyle’s son Todd Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, and Phil Hellmuth. Longtime agent and friend Brian Balsbaugh as well as friends Gabe Kaplan, Dewey Tomko, and Lyle Berman also offered some words on the poker legend.

PokerGO President Mori Eskandani also offered some of his thoughts recently.

“Doyle Brunson was the poker legend; so much so that his figure transcended the game,” Eskandani said. “Doyle was extraordinary in every sense, both on and off the felt, and there truly will never be another poker player like him. His poker accomplishments speak for themselves, but what Doyle will be remembered most for is the inspiration he bestowed on every poker player who has ever touched a deck of cards.

“Doyle loved the game and the community. It is never easy to lose an icon, but it is our hope that the community can collectively share in tribute with the release of Doyle Brunson: Celebration of Life.”

A Look At Other Events

Beyond the retrospective, other companies also look to remember Brunson through various tournaments and events. Maryland Live! reduced the high-hand qualifier to a full house of 10s full of 2s.

The Lodge in Texas was offering cash game and tournament players the chance to win $10,200 if they could make trips or better holding 10-2, while also running a $102 buy-in tournament.

JACK Casino in Cleveland is running a $200 charity event with $50 rebuys to benefit the Cleveland Food Bank as well as special cash game promotions.

Players could grab exclusive Doyle Brunson Day card protectors at the Aria poker room as well.

In the online arena, PokerStars USA offered players a chance to compete in the Ten Deuce Day Freeroll, with a $10,200 prize pool up for grabs.

ClubWPT was set to run a $1,000 freeroll with the top five finishers scoring an opportunity to win a WPT-branded “Texas Dolly” signature cowboy hat.

It seems as though casinos and poker operators around the world were commemorating Brunson’s life at least to some degree. As Negreanu noted in the Celebration of Life over the summer, the Godfather of Poker left a lasting impression.

“For someone like Doyle, to do it decade after decade and continue not just playing in the biggest games, but still winning, is something that I think we can all admire and aspire to,” he said. “When you think of the Poker Hall of Fame, I think one of the key aspects that Doyle always stuck to … was just standing the test of time. And if he’s the barometer, then nobody ever will because (his legacy) is just remarkable.”

 
 
Tags: Doyle Brunson,   Doyle Brunson Day,   10-2,   Oct. 2,   October 2,   10/2,   Poker Day,   Poker Community,   Poker Celebration
 
 
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