Truly sad and devastating news from the world of poker. Poker legend and Hall of Famer, David "Chip" Reese, has died at the age of 56, reports ESPN The cause of his death is unknown at this time.
Reese, a 3-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, was best known as the world's premiere cash-game player. He and another poker legend, Doyle "Texas Dolly" Brunson, were founders of the "The Big Game" at the Bellagio in Las Vegas where pots can reach into the hundreds, and often millions of dollars.
Just last year, Reese won the WSOP's inaugural, $50,000 buy-in "HORSE" event--which is the ultimate test of a player's skill combing 5 games: (H) No-Limit Hold 'Em, (O) Omaha, (R) Razz, (S) Seven-Card Stud and (E) Seven-Card Stud Hi/Lo. Due to the buy-in, the field is usually limited to just the best players in the world. And Reese bested them all.
In fact, when it got down to head's up play to determine the winner, Reese and his opponent, fellow poker master Andy Bloch, played the longest head's up match in WSOP history, 7+ hours, before Reese took the bracelet.
Poker players are known for their poker faces. Tonight, those faces are filled with tears.
God Bless Chip Reese and his family.