Stu Ungar: The Legendary Poker Player Who Won the World Series Three Times

Stu Ungar is the only player to have won the World Series of Poker three times. He first won the tournament in 1980, a year that marked a significant shift in the poker world. His victory was as surprising as Chris Moneymaker's win in 2003, as he was not a traditional poker player from Texas but a New Yorker known for his Gin Rummy skills.

Stu Ungar was known for his aggressive style and psychological pressure on opponents. He won his first Gin Rummy tournament at the age of 10 and dropped out of school at 15 to focus on gambling. His talent was evident when he defeated Harry 'Yonkie' Stein, a Gin Rummy guru, in 86 consecutive games. This victory led Stein to retire from the scene.

Ungar's poker career was marked by both triumph and tragedy. He won the World Series of Poker again in 1981 and was known for his generous nature, often giving large tips. However, his cocaine addiction led to his downfall. Despite his struggles, he won the World Series of Poker for the third time in 1997, a feat that may never be matched. His life was a cycle of winning large sums in poker and losing them to drugs. He died in 1998 at the age of 44, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest poker players of all time.