A legend in the poker world has died at the age of 56. Chip Reese, who was the 2006 winner of the inaugural $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event at the World Series of Poker, passed away Monday night.
Reese was admitted into the hospital late Monday evening in Las Vegas and then passed away in his sleep during the night, reported by a few media outlets. The cause of his death has not yet been announced but it has been stated that he was admitted with pneumonia-like symptoms.
He was born David Reese in Ohio in 1951 and attended Dartmouth College and had every intention of becoming a lawyer. His poker career started in the 70s when he was deciding whether he should go on to graduate school or not. Reese ended up not going to graduate school but he is regarded as one of best poker players to ever pick up poker chips.
A stop at a Las Vegas Casino and his resulting success, made him stay in Las Vegas, so he never became the lawyer that he thought he was going to be.
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest cash game players in the history of poker. In Doyle Brunson’s seminal book SuperSystem, Reese had a part in writing a section for that book. He wrote the Stud section, but later on his life, he became more of a tournament player.
Throughout his whole career, Reese acquired almost $3.5 million in winnings and three World Series of Poker bracelets. His final win assured his place in poker history. He went up against one of the hardest final tables in World Series of Poker history. Some of the players were Doyle Brunson, Dewey Tomko, David Singer, and Phil Ivey just to name a few. Reese ended up outlasting Andy Bloch in a head to head game that lasted eight hours.
By doing that he took home the first ever championship in the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. tournament, which is the largest buy-in event in the history of the World Series of Poker.
Chip Reese will be greatly missed in the poker world but he will forever be in poker history as one of the greatest poker players to play the game.
Chip Reese was my best friend Noralene Reese’s husband. He was a wonderful man and father. His family meant everything to him. My family and I spent many holidays and summers with the Reeses. We were lucky to have known Chip and we are all deeply saddened by his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his children, extended family and the many people Chip called his friends. Sincerely. Kerrie Siragusa
im only 15 and ive only seen chip on t.v but just seeing him on various final tables not only was chip an exellent player he was also well respected by his peers,he was an honored man and i never saw him get mad or yell at a table.my deepest thoughts go to his family and his closest friends.
I read a lot about him.Chip Reese was a great poker player in the world.He earned $3.5 millions and three World Series of Poker bracelets.But now we missed him.