Chip Reese

Chip Reese

Professional poker player
Date of Birth: 28.03.1951
Country: USA

Content:
  1. Biography of Chip Reese
  2. Poker Career and Achievements
  3. Legacy and Personal Life

Biography of Chip Reese

Early Life and Education

Chip Reese, born David Edward Reese, was a legendary professional poker player and a representative of the so-called "first generation of poker legends". He was born in 1951 in Centerville, Ohio and had a challenging childhood. Reese suffered from rheumatic fever, but it was during this time that his mother taught him how to play poker in order to bring some joy into his life. At an early age, Reese was already beating his classmates in poker games and he never stopped playing the game. He was also an accomplished athlete in high school, playing football and winning the state championship in Ohio.

Chip Reese

Reese initially had plans to attend Harvard University on a scholarship but surprised everyone, especially his parents, by declining the offer and choosing to study economics at Dartmouth College instead. After graduating, he planned to attend Stanford Law School but his passion for poker took over. Instead of starting his legal studies, he went to Las Vegas where he won his first tournament, earning $60,000 in prize money. His winnings continued to grow, and he decided to stay in Las Vegas, leaving his job in Arizona behind.

Chip Reese

Poker Career and Achievements

In the early 1970s, Chip Reese became close friends with Doyle Brunson, another famous poker player, who even entrusted him to write a chapter on stud poker in his renowned book "Super/System". Reese and Brunson also invested together in various business ventures. By the late 1970s, Reese was considered one of the strongest poker players in the world, particularly in seven-card stud. He won his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) tournament in 1978, followed by another gold bracelet in 1982, and a third in 2006. Throughout his career, Reese believed in playing the game without thinking too much about the money involved, often saying, "If you think about money while you're playing, you don't have a chance."

Chip Reese

Reese's total winnings amounted to $3,500,000, and he was widely recognized as a poker legend during his lifetime. He was known for his unique behavior at the poker table, such as leaving a game with a significant loss to attend his son's baseball match. This was uncommon among most poker players, who usually try to recoup their losses. Reese was also known for his pleasant demeanor and ability to make his opponents feel at ease, even when losing to him.

Legacy and Personal Life

Chip Reese passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on December 4, 2007, at the age of 52. His death was a significant loss for the poker community. He was remembered as a strong and intelligent player, a poker theorist, and a genuinely enjoyable opponent. Reese's son, Casey, tragically passed away from a drug overdose in 2009, not long after his father's death. Chip Reese's name continues to hold significance in the world of poker, as he remains a respected figure and an inspiration to many players.

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