Doyle Brunson Remembers Poker Games with French Millionaire Francis Gross

Doyle Brunson, a renowned poker player, recounts his memorable experiences playing poker with French millionaire Francis Gross. Francis Gross first visited Las Vegas in the early 1970s, where he quickly moved from low-stakes games to the highest levels. Despite usually losing, Gross was a formidable opponent when he took the game seriously. He enjoyed playing and was always a joy to be around.

Francis Gross was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at around 50 or 55 years old. Despite his declining health, Gross invited Brunson and his friends, including Chip Reece, Bobby Baldwin, and Johnny Chen, to his Paris mansion for a poker game. The mansion, valued at $30 million, was adorned with works by Picasso, Renoir, and other famous artists. Gross's art collection was valued at $100 million, including a painting worth $30 million.

During the games, Brunson lost $1.4 million, but the experience was unforgettable. Gross, who was taking morphine to manage his pain, played daily from 10 AM to 1 PM, with breaks for lunch. Despite his health issues, Gross was a gracious host, providing exquisite French and Italian cuisine, as well as fine desserts and wines. The games continued for a couple of weeks, and although Brunson lost significantly, the experience was one of the most memorable of his career. Francis Gross passed away a few months after the poker games.