On Sunday, the world learned of the death of Doyle Brunson, one of poker’s greatest icons, at the age of 89. The 10-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner and World Poker Tour Champions Club member, among an unfathomably long list of career accomplishments and poker accolades, was a pillar in the poker community until the end of his life.
Understandably, other poker players quickly took the opportunity to offer their condolences and share memories and photos of Brunson. The breadth of the impact he had on the industry and the players he crossed paths with was immediately clear.
Poker lost its biggest Legend today: @TexDolly. He inspired 3 generations of poker players w his play, his award winning book “Super System,” and his fabulous style and grit. Doyle always played hard: the man absolutely hated losing!! Doyle ruled the high stakes cash games in Las… pic.twitter.com/L4CKzvzbIF
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) May 15, 2023
Legend
There will never be another Doyle Brunson
Doyle was @RadioAmanda favorite player by a mile
He will be missed by many, the Godfather of Poker#RIPDoyle pic.twitter.com/Y88BsrDhhP
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) May 15, 2023
Sad day. We’ve lost @TexDolly the most iconic player in poker’s history, his legacy will live on forever. I’ve been so inspired by his passion & his ability to play at such a high level well into his 80’s. It’s the end of an era
— Erik Seidel (@Erik_Seidel) May 15, 2023
can’t believe this day has come – you will always be held high in our hearts, the man, the myth, the legend & THE GODFATHER of poker baby! Mr Brunson, you made poker what it is baby! thank you for what you give to all of us baby! RIP Mr Doyle Brunson THE GODFATHER OF POKER pic.twitter.com/TiwzjQfhCi
— Scotty Nguyen (@TheScottyNguyen) May 15, 2023
Yes, Doyle Brunson was the Legend of Poker. But to me, he was more of a father. I will miss him dearly. My prayers go out to Louise, Pam and Todd.
I Love You Doyle. Rest in Peace to the Greatest!!— Jennifer Harman (@REALJenHarman) May 15, 2023
During the Big Game there was rodeo convention next door. The airconditioning was blasting to avoid the flies from coming in the studio.
Someone mentioned it was a bit chilly. Doyle (stuck a bunch): 'Well I'm warm as f****ing toast.'
Glad I got to play with him. RIP, Doyle. pic.twitter.com/XYC3HuzU6K
— Lex Veldhuis (@LexVeldhuis) May 15, 2023
Chip and Doyle in paradise. I hope they don’t break all the games before i get there in around 50 years #ripDoyle
— Max Pescatori (@maxpescatori) May 15, 2023
Rip #DoyleBrunson. I had the pleasure of playing with him many times. He had a wicked sense of humor and always put a smile on my face. Even when he bluffed me out of a hand he did it in such a genial way, I felt like it had somehow been an honor for him to take my chips. #Legend pic.twitter.com/Bzn9GElEFC
— Jennifer Tilly (@JenniferTilly) May 15, 2023
Can not express in words at this time how much I have been inspired by Doyle over my adult life and how blessed and honored I have felt to get to sit at the same table with him day in and day out and truly get to know the man in a way that few will ever get to. Heartbroken..
— Scott Seiver (@scott_seiver) May 15, 2023
Tip of the hat and RIP to the legend Doyle Brunson. https://t.co/RtAXggVE71
— TonyDunstTV (@tonydunsttv) May 15, 2023
I’m so lucky I had the opportunity to truly understand Doyle’s greatness by sitting across the table from him.
“Legend” feels inadequate.
We don’t have a word for what Doyle Brunson is to poker.
Rest in Peace ♥️ pic.twitter.com/IjCDrNG96c
— Phil Galfond (@PhilGalfond) May 15, 2023
The only man I think I ever snuck a picture of because I was in awe to be at the same table as him. Rest in peace Doyle. pic.twitter.com/MpjAtf2AqA
— Ben Lamb (@BenbaLamb) May 15, 2023
The first time I met Doyle was 15 years ago. He was gracious, funny, and kind.
The last time I had the honor of playing #poker with him was last year, and this is how I’ll remember him: sharp as ever and had me in awe of his presence until the end. Legends never die.#RIPDoyle pic.twitter.com/uJ3e3UKAjy
— Maria Ho (@MariaHo) May 15, 2023
RIP Doyle. Original legend of the game. Still remember the hype from my first home game every time T2o would get rolled over. pic.twitter.com/c4u2QaGTwm
— Darren Elias (@DarrenElias) May 15, 2023
There are so many people who will never know what it was like to play poker with Doyle and that makes me so so sad.
It is such an incredible honor to say I got to laugh with him.
This one hits different 💔
— Melissa Burr (@burrrrrberry) May 15, 2023
R.I.P to the legend Doyle Brunson, you will be very missed 😓 a sad day for the poker world pic.twitter.com/yQXNDNI4Gu
— LEGION | Joey Ingram 🐉 (@Joeingram1) May 15, 2023
Very sad to hear the news about @TexDolly. It was a dream come true for me to be play with him after watching him and rooting him on for 20 years. We will miss you Doyle. This is from one of my favorite moments when I cracked a joke and was able to make him smile. pic.twitter.com/QntPlACboi
— Brad Owen (@TheBradOwen) May 15, 2023
Feel incredibly blessed to have shared this brief time on the tables together in December. Rest in peace to the truest legend of the game. https://t.co/4N1ctgkJel
— Andrew Neeme (@andrewneeme) May 15, 2023
Man, really sad day in the poker world with the passing of Doyle Brunson. The man WAS poker – the ultimate icon of the game, who likely spent more days at the felt than any other person in history.
Rest in peace sir ❤️ pic.twitter.com/DLsJNPisZ6
— Liv Boeree (@Liv_Boeree) May 15, 2023
Remember that Doyle Brunson's first and only retirement from the WSOP came not because the game had passed him by, but because he needed to be with his wife, Louise.
A devoted family man who just so happened to have the biggest impact on poker. May his memory be a blessing.
— Jeff Platt (@jeffplatt) May 15, 2023
One of the greatest unexpected thrills of my life was becoming friends with @TexDolly.
He was so kind & inviting & just an absolute legend.
We’d share picks & he invited me to his home so we could sweat each other’s bets.
RIP to one of the greatest gamblers & people ever. pic.twitter.com/SgUwMNUZiA
— nick wright (@getnickwright) May 15, 2023
The ultimate GG to Doyle Brunson. What a legend. Not just in how great of a player he was but also his unrivaled longevity in the game and how kind of a person he was.
If there was ever someone to look up to in how they carried themselves and treated other people, Doyle was as…
— Faraz Jaka (@FarazJaka) May 15, 2023