Johnny Moss Legendary poker player Date of Birth: 14.05.1907 Country: USA

1. Biography of Johnny Moss
2. Club Otter and Early Career
3. Success in Poker and Beyond
4. Later Years and Legacy

Biography of Johnny Moss

Johnny Moss, the legendary poker player, was born in 1907 in Marshall, Texas, to a humble American family. Shortly after his birth, Moss's family decided to move to Dallas, but tragedy struck along the way when his mother died from acute appendicitis. Settling into their new home, Moss and his father lived without much means until Moss entered the third grade. At that point, his father lost his job, and Moss, eager to help his father through tough times, became a newspaper seller. Every day, he walked five kilometers to the center of Dallas. At the age of 15, Moss moved into his own apartment in the city center and began working for Western Union. It was during this time that Moss developed a love for playing dominoes and sought opportunities to learn how to play poker. However, his interest in poker was solely focused on playing for money.

Club Otter and Early Career

The best poker players in Dallas would gather at a place called Club Otter. Moss, who dreamed of joining this elite group, managed to convince the manager to hire him. His responsibilities included keeping an eye out for cheaters who often visited the club. Soon, Moss had the opportunity not only to learn the game but also to practice his acquired skills on a daily basis. The manager, Mr. Wade, played a significant role in helping Moss, as he recognized something special in him - he was a player. Over time, Moss developed his own aggressive playing style that made him virtually unbeatable. During this period, he also met Anne Mouser, whom he firmly decided to marry. However, there were complications with Anne's parents. To prove his seriousness to Anne's policeman father, Moss took a government job. On May 1, 1926, Johnny and Anne Moss got married. However, Johnny's passion for poker soon overtook him, and he left his government job for the game. By that time, Club Otter had closed, and Moss had to hit the road to make a living from cards. Finding partners to play with became increasingly difficult as clubs and casinos were closed. Eventually, Moss had to admit that there was no more game in Dallas. To earn a living, he decided to move to East Texas, where oil fields were located. To maintain a cover, he got a job with the Texaco oil company.

Success in Poker and Beyond

Playing with oil workers turned out to be very profitable, and Moss quickly amassed a fortune of $100,000. In the early 1930s, Moss learned that many golf enthusiasts were also avid poker players. He immediately learned to play golf and traveled from course to course in search of wealthy opponents. Golf players were known to be well-off, and Moss knew the stakes would be high. He was now only interested in playing big. Legend has it that one day while sitting in his car, Moss heard on the radio that there were high-stakes games at a casino in El Paso. Without hesitation, he started the engine and headed straight there. In the 1940s, Moss's reputation as an experienced poker player reached its peak, and he was considered the best. He even played poker during his service in the Navy. At the age of 38, Moss returned home to Dallas, where the game flourished once again.

Later Years and Legacy

Despite his success, Texas saw the emergence of many other successful players, and in the first week, Moss lost $75,000. He had to play on credit, but fortunately, Moss had many friends willing to support him. He quickly recovered, repaid his debts, and continued to play. At that time, famous gambler Nick "Greece" Dandolos organized a big game in Las Vegas with stakes higher than ever before. The winner was a middle-aged man named John Moss. It is said that he won a seven-figure sum that day.

In the mid-1950s, Moss began his coaching career, teaching players such as "Sailor" Roberts, Doyle Brunson, Amarillo "Slim" Preston, and "Puggy" Pearson how to play poker. Moss became a god-like figure in the poker world, revered by many players. In 1970, the first World Series of Poker (WSOP) tournament took place at the Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas. Johnny Moss emerged as the best participant of the 1970 WSOP. In 1971, he won the championship again.

In 1973 and 1974, Moss left the championships with the bracelets of the World Poker Champion once again. He stopped participating in the championships in the 1980s, marking the end of his illustrious playing career. Johnny Moss passed away in 1995 at the age of 88.

Overall, Johnny Moss was a legendary figure in the world of poker, known for his aggressive playing style and unmatched skills. He left a lasting legacy, not only as a player but also as a coach who shaped the careers of many successful poker players.