Ammon – American Doyle Branson, two-time world champion in poker and known as the “Godfather of Poker”, has passed away at the age of 89, his family said Sunday.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our father, Doyle Bronson,” the family wrote in a statement posted on Twitter by Branson’s manager. “He was a Christian and a beloved husband, father and grandfather.”
The family did not provide any details about the cause of death.
Branson was a 10-time World Series of Poker winner and became a two-time World Series of Poker champion, in 1976 and 1977.
The Texas-born American, who was often seen wearing a cowboy hat, made more than $6 million in poker winnings.
In 1979, he wrote “The Super System”, one of his first books on poker strategy and has become one of the most prominent books in this field.
His opponent, Daniel Negreanu, considered him a “legend” in the game, and tweeted, “There will never be another Doyle Branson,” adding, “Many will miss the godfather of poker.”
Actor James Wood, in turn, posted a photo of himself and Branson on Twitter, writing, “The news is heartbreaking. Doyle Branson, the most important poker player of all time, has exchanged his own coins.”
Doyle Branson was inducted into the US Poker Hall of Fame in 1988.
ap
