ARTICLES BY: STEFANIE UNGAR
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published 1093 days ago in
Card Player College Magazine Volume 1, Number 1
Card Player College Magazine Volume 1, Number 1
In the Shadow of a Legend
Hello, Card Player readers! Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Stefanie Ungar. If my last name sounds familiar, it might be because you have heard of my dad, Stu Ungar. Regular readers of Card Player have undoubtedly heard that named tossed around a time or two. However, if you find yourself asking "who is this Stu Ungar guy?," this is your opportunity to meet a very special man.
My dad is known by most as being the greatest poker player of all time. He is even more widely known as the greatest gin rummy player ever. My dad used his genius IQ to skip two grades in school and is the only person in the history of poker to have actually won the World Series of Poker championship three times (1980, 1981, and 1997).
The very first time he entered the World Series in 1980, he found himself at the final table heads up against Doyle Brunson and won. Everyone thought it was only beginner's luck, until he captured the title again for the second time the following year.
Sixteen years later, in 1997, he won another World Series championship, during a very troubled time in his life, and only one year short of his death.
Now that I have given you a brief introduction to my father, let me tell you how and why I came to write this column. My mother and I were at the recent WSOP doing a book signing for the newly released book One of a Kind: The Rise and Fall of Stuey "The Kid" Ungar, The World's Greatest Poker Player by Nolan Dalla and Peter Alson. While I was in the booth signing books, I was interviewed for a CardPlayer.com video segment.
After the interview, I was asked if I would be interested in writing a column about my dad and the experiences I had growing up in the poker world. Guys like Doyle Brunson, Phil Hellmuth, and Johnny Chan have always been a part of my life, and I saw them frequently at my house when I was growing up. I agreed to write this column for two reasons.
First, because I love anything that has to do with my dad, since it keeps his memory alive for me and my mother; second, for my dad's friends and fans. I have come to realize that he has amazingly loyal fans out there who love him and are still deeply intrigued by the lifestyle he lived. I know my father isn't around for people to meet or ask questions of, but there are still many lessons to be learned by reflecting on his life.
Since One of a Kind came out, I have encountered many people who want to know more about my dad and the truth behind all the rumors. Those who have questions or comments about his life as well as mine can send email to askstef@hotmail.com and I will respond to as many as I can in upcoming columns. I look forward to writing this column and sharing some of the ups and downs of my father's life, along with insights I've gained from watching a life lived to excess - and beyond.
My dad is known by most as being the greatest poker player of all time. He is even more widely known as the greatest gin rummy player ever. My dad used his genius IQ to skip two grades in school and is the only person in the history of poker to have actually won the World Series of Poker championship three times (1980, 1981, and 1997).
The very first time he entered the World Series in 1980, he found himself at the final table heads up against Doyle Brunson and won. Everyone thought it was only beginner's luck, until he captured the title again for the second time the following year.
Sixteen years later, in 1997, he won another World Series championship, during a very troubled time in his life, and only one year short of his death.
Now that I have given you a brief introduction to my father, let me tell you how and why I came to write this column. My mother and I were at the recent WSOP doing a book signing for the newly released book One of a Kind: The Rise and Fall of Stuey "The Kid" Ungar, The World's Greatest Poker Player by Nolan Dalla and Peter Alson. While I was in the booth signing books, I was interviewed for a CardPlayer.com video segment.
After the interview, I was asked if I would be interested in writing a column about my dad and the experiences I had growing up in the poker world. Guys like Doyle Brunson, Phil Hellmuth, and Johnny Chan have always been a part of my life, and I saw them frequently at my house when I was growing up. I agreed to write this column for two reasons.
First, because I love anything that has to do with my dad, since it keeps his memory alive for me and my mother; second, for my dad's friends and fans. I have come to realize that he has amazingly loyal fans out there who love him and are still deeply intrigued by the lifestyle he lived. I know my father isn't around for people to meet or ask questions of, but there are still many lessons to be learned by reflecting on his life.
Since One of a Kind came out, I have encountered many people who want to know more about my dad and the truth behind all the rumors. Those who have questions or comments about his life as well as mine can send email to askstef@hotmail.com and I will respond to as many as I can in upcoming columns. I look forward to writing this column and sharing some of the ups and downs of my father's life, along with insights I've gained from watching a life lived to excess - and beyond.
