Poker Legend Chip Reese Dead at 56

The poker world was stunned today by news that legendary card player David “Chip” Reese has passed away. The youngest player ever inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame and a three-time World Series of Poker bracelet holder, Reese died in his sleep while sick with pneumonia. He was 56 years old.

He was widely regarded as the best high limit cash game player in the world, and Doyle Brunson called him, “the best Seven Card Stud player I’ve ever played with.”

As a child in Ohio, Reese became ill with rheumatic fever and was forced to stay home for nearly a year. During this time, his mother taught him a number of card games. He was hooked and showed an unusual proficiency at the games.

Years later, after graduating from Dartmouth, he stopped off in Las Vegas on the way to Stanford Business School. He won $40,000 in a poker tournament and never made it to the school.

He won his first WSOP bracelet in 1978 in the Seven Card Stud Split event. Another bracelet came in 1982 in the $5000 Seven Card Stud event. The third bracelet came in 2006 at the first-ever $50,000 buy-in HORSE event (won after a seven hour heads-up battle against Andy Bloch). No doubt, there would have been more bracelets on the horizon.

But while he was a feared tournament player, Reese spent the bulk of his time playing in big money games. He was a regular at the “Big Game” at the Bellagio. He was also respected for his ability to handicap baseball games.

Mike Sexton referred to Reese as, “probably the most successful poker player in history.”

Rest in peace, Chip.

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Poker Legend Chip Reese Dead at 56