Table of Contents
Stu Ungar is widely regarded as the greatest poker player in history. Known for his sharp mind, photographic memory, and unmatched card-playing skills, Ungar made a name for himself in poker, blackjack, and gin rummy. He was one of the rare players who could dominate any game he played.
Ungar won the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event three times in 1980, 1981, and 1997 a feat only a few players in history have achieved. Apart from that, he also won two other WSOP bracelets, in 2-7 Draw (1981) and Seven Card Stud (1983).
His baby-faced looks earned him the nickname “The Kid”, but behind that youthful appearance was a fierce and fearless card genius.
Early Life and Love for Cards
Stu Ungar was born on September 8, 1953, in Manhattan, New York. His father, Isidore Ungar, was a bookmaker, which gave young Stu his first exposure to the world of gambling.
Ungar’s first game was gin rummy, and it quickly became his obsession. After his father passed away in 1967, Stu left school to support his family through gambling. By his late teens, he was already considered one of the best gin rummy players in the country, traveling across the United States to play against top competitors.
His dominance in gin rummy was so legendary that many players stopped competing with him altogether. In one famous instance, he defeated gin legend Harry “Yonkie” Stein an unbelievable 86 games in a row.
Ungar himself once said:
“Someday, someone might be a better no-limit hold’em player than me. But I don’t see how anyone could ever play gin better than me.”
Moving to Las Vegas
Ungar first visited Las Vegas in 1977 to play gin rummy, but soon shifted his focus to poker. His first big stage appearance came at the 1980 WSOP Main Event, where he faced legends like Doyle Brunson and Johnny Moss.
In a fast and fierce heads-up battle, Ungar defeated Brunson in just 15 minutes to win $365,000. This victory made him one of the youngest champions in WSOP history and instantly established his reputation as a poker prodigy.
WSOP Glory and Poker Achievements
1981: Back-to-Back Champion
In 1981, Ungar returned to the WSOP and successfully defended his Main Event title, defeating Perry Green heads-up to win $375,000. He also won his third bracelet that same year in the 2-7 Draw event, earning $95,000.
1983: Seven Card Stud Champion
Ungar added another bracelet to his collection in 1983, winning the $5,000 Seven Card Stud event for $110,000.
Super Bowl of Poker
Outside of WSOP, Ungar also dominated the Super Bowl of Poker, a prestigious series created by Amarillo Slim. He won three titles in 1984, 1988, and 1989.
The 1990 Incident: When Addiction Took Over
Ungar’s genius was often overshadowed by his struggles with drug addiction. In 1990, while leading the WSOP Main Event with just 25 players left, he suffered a cocaine overdose in his hotel room.
Despite being hospitalized and unable to continue playing, his chip stack was so large that he still finished in ninth place without even returning to the table.
1997: The Legendary Comeback
By 1997, Ungar was physically weak and financially broke due to his addiction. However, Billy Baxter, a fellow poker pro, believed in his talent and staked him for the WSOP Main Event.
With coffee keeping him awake and focused, Ungar played like the legend he was. He entered the final table with over a third of the chips and defeated John Strzemp heads-up to win $1 million, his third WSOP Main Event title.
This emotional victory earned him the nickname “The Comeback Kid” and was the last major highlight of his career.
Personal Life
Ungar married Madeline Wheeler in 1982, and they had a daughter named Stefanie. He also adopted Madeline’s son, Richie. Sadly, their marriage ended in 1986, and tragedy struck when Richie committed suicide three years later.
Despite his 1997 win, Ungar quickly lost his money, reportedly going broke within months.
Death and Legacy
On November 22, 1998, Stu Ungar was found dead in a Las Vegas motel. The cause of death was a heart condition caused by years of drug abuse. He was only 45 years old.
He was buried at Palm Valley View Memorial Park in East Las Vegas. In 2001, Stu Ungar was posthumously inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame, cementing his place among the greatest players ever.
Also Read: Doyle Brunson’s Poker Legacy: The Godfather Of The Game
What Made Stu Ungar So Special?
Ungar wasn’t just good he was a natural card-playing genius.
- Photographic Memory: He could memorize cards and recall them instantly.
- Genius IQ: Many believe his IQ was over 140, which helped him outthink opponents.
- Versatility: He mastered poker, blackjack, and gin rummy with equal ease.
- Fearlessness: Ungar played aggressively and wasn’t afraid to take risks.
A famous story tells how casino owner Bob Stupak once bet Ungar $10,000 that he couldn’t name the last card in a counted-down deck. Ungar took the bet and correctly named the Ten of Diamonds.
His blackjack counting skills were so good that many casinos banned him from playing.
Stu Ungar’s WSOP Bracelets
| Year | Event | Prize |
| 1980 | $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em (Main Event) | $365,000 |
| 1981 | $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Draw | $95,000 |
| 1981 | $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em (Main Event) | $375,000 |
| 1983 | $5,000 Seven Card Stud | $110,000 |
| 1997 | $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em (Main Event) | $1,000,000 |
Conclusion
Stu Ungar’s story is both inspiring and tragic. He was a once-in-a-lifetime talent who dominated every card game he touched, yet his battles with addiction cut his life short.
Even today, more than two decades after his death, poker fans still call him “The Greatest of All Time.” His comeback win in 1997 remains one of the most iconic moments in poker history.
As Ungar himself once said:
“I never want to be called a ‘good loser.’ Show me a good loser and I’ll just show you a loser.”
