Puggy Pearson - Poker Player

Biography

Walter Clyde "Puggy" Pearson was a professional American poker player known for winning the 1973 World Series of Poker. Pearson has won four WSOP bracelets, three in 1973 and one in 1971. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1987.

Background

Puggy Pearson was born on January 29, 1929, in Kentucky. He was raised in Tennessee along with his nine siblings. When he was twelve, he broke and disfigured his nose, hence his name, ‘Puggy.’ He dropped out of fifth grade, and when he was 17, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving three tours. He died on April 12, 2006, of a heart attack.

Puggy Pearson Poker Career

Before 1949, all the games were cash; you could cash out your chips and leave the table anytime. Pearson came up with the idea of a freezeout tournament. He shared the same with fellow gambler Nick, the Greek Dandolos. He then pitched the idea to casino owner Benny Binion, who, after a thorough discussion, Binion founded the WSOP in 1970.

Pearson participated in the first World Series of Poker (WSOP) and won his first bracelet in the 1971 Limit Seven-Card Stud preliminary event.

Pearson finished second in the 1972 WSOP Main Event, but the ending was controversial as there were questions of fair play.

The following year, he won two events in the WSOP and the Main event in the same tournament, defeating Johnny Moss. With this, he became the first player to win three events in a year.

Pearson owned an RV, which he named Roving Gambler, along with this printed on the side: ‘I'll play any man from any land any game he can name for any amount I can count, provided I like it.’

Puggy Perason’s WSOP Bracelets

Puggy Pearson's Net Worth

Puggy Pearson has total winnings of $473.680.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bracelets did Puggy Pearson win?

Puggy Pearson won four WSOP bracelets.