Stu Ungar: "The Kid" - World Series of Poker Player Bio

Stu "The Kid" Ungar was born in Manhattan on September 8, 1953. His father, a bookie, did not encourage his son's gambling, but Stu Ungar quickly became a big name in gin rummy. At age 10, Stu Ungar won a local gin tournament and by 1967 was one of the best gin rummy players in New York City.

In 1968, Stu Ungar's father passed away. The young gambler dropped out of high school to support his mother and sister full-time. However, Ungar eventually left New York to escape his gambling debts. Despite his wild success at card games, Ungar struggled with bad sportsbooks and horse track bets.

Ungar moved to Las Vegas in 1976. He married and had one daughter, Stefanie.

In Vegas, Stu Ungar's gin rummy reputation finally did him under. Professionals refused to play him - he always won. He even offered his competitors handicaps to try and get in on games. Ultimately, Stu Ungar switched to poker and blackjack. His genius-level I.Q. and eidetic memory quickly built his bankroll.

Stu Ungar won the 1980 and 1981 World Series of Poker main events. He was the youngest champion until Phil Hellmuth's win in 1989.

In 1982, "The Kid" was accused of cheating at a blackjack table. Allegedly, he capped a bet (put more chips down after the win was announced to get more money). The fine was $500, but Stu Ungar chose to fight the charge and spent $50,000 clearing his name. The court case left Stu Ungar exhausted, and he opted out of the 1982 World Series of Poker.

Throughout his professional gambling career, Stu Ungar was regularly banned from casinos. He was that good.

"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser," Ungar said.

Whatever money Stu Ungar was able to make, he squandered on his two old demons - sportsbooks and horse races - and one new - cocaine.

Stu Ungar made it to the final table in the 1990 World Series of Poker. On the third day of the event, Ungar was found overdosed on the floor of his hotel room. However, his chip lead allowed him to come in ninth. Even after the dealer picked up his blinds, Stu Ungar took home $20,500.

In 1997, Stu Ungar returned to the World Series of Poker main event. His friend and fellow poker great, Billy Baxter, fronted Ungar the $10,000 buy-in. Stu Ungar took home the title and split $1 million with Baxter. His nickname was adapted to "The Comeback Kid" since it had been so long since his last win. Ungar's appearance, however, gained more attention than his win; his nostrils were collapsed from long-term cocaine use.

By 1998, all the 1997 WSOP winnings were gone. Baxter again offered to front Ungar the buy-in. Ungar chose not to play, fearing the same attention he was greeted with after the 1997 win. Before his death on November 22, 1998, Ungar was seen outside casinos begging for money to play poker.

Ungar is remembered as possibly the best card player in terms of raw talent. Despite his poker success, Ungar always claimed that gin rummy was his best game.

High Roller, a movie based on Stu Ungar's life, was released in 2003.