Walter Clyde Pearson: "Puggy" - World Series of Poker Player Bio

Walter Clyde Pearson, better known as Puggy Pearson, was born on January 29, 1929. Puggy Pearson grew up amongst the Tennessee Hills with nine brothers and sisters. At 10 years old, Puggy dropped out of school to help his family. As an adult, Puggy Pearson joked about his poor upbringing, "We were so poor that we had to move every time the rent came due. I didn't know what shoes were until I left home."

Walter Clyde Pearson earned his nickname "Puggy" at the age of 12. Pearson was working on a church and decided to show off his newfound skill, walking on his hands. Pearson's hands came across some unsecured floorboards and the young man fell flat on his face, permanently disfiguring his nose.

At 16, Puggy Pearson joined the United States Navy and served three tours. While enlisted, Pearson discovered his love and luck for gambling and made a career of it after separating from the Navy.

While playing high stakes game in Las Vegas, Puggy Pearson mentioned to "Nick the Greek" Dandalos the idea of freezeout tournaments to fellow poker legend - instead of players being able to cash out at any time, players would buy in to an all-or-nothing game. Dandalos later suggested tournament play to Benny Binion, who later founded the World Series of Poker.

Puggy Pearson attended the first World Series of Poker tournament in 1970 and won the main event in 1973. He held an A7 to Johnny Moss' KJ. Pearson later went on to win an additional three bracelets - two in seven-card stuff, his best game.

At the age of 58 in 1987, Puggy Pearson was the second player inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame, the first was Johnny Moss.

Puggy Pearson called himself the Rovin' Gambler and was renowned for his wit. On the side of his tour bus read, ""I'll play any man from any land any game he can name for any amount he can count." In fine print, it read, "Provided I like it."

Pearson had renowned run-ins with dealers, including being hit in the head with a dealer's high heel and even urinated on one. Overall, though, Pearson was considered a great all-around guy and considered a dear friend to fellow poker pioneers Doyle Brunson and Amarillo Slim.

Puggy Pearson was the only poker player to attend every World Series of Poker tournament from 1970 to 2005.

Puggy Pearson died on April 12, 2006.