T.J. Cloutier: The Legendary Poker Career and Financial Struggles

T.J. Cloutier, born on October 23, 1939, in Albany, California, began his professional poker career in 1976. His illustrious career includes winning six WSOP bracelets, a feat that places him in the history books as the only player to win events in all three variants of Omaha: Limit High, Pot Limit High, and Limit 8-or-Better High-low Split in WSOP history.

Cloutier's achievements extend beyond his WSOP victories. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2006 and has live career earnings of $10,444,516. Unlike many top poker pros, Cloutier has never won more than six figures in a single event, but his earnings are a testament to his career longevity.

Despite his poker success, Cloutier's life took a tumultuous turn due to his struggles with a craps gambling addiction. His financial troubles became evident when his WSOP bracelet from a $5,000 No-Limit Hold 'em event in 2005 was sold for $4,006 on eBay in 2010. Cloutier admitted in 2013 that he had lost a significant amount of money while playing craps. The 82-year-old Poker Hall of Famer has since retired from the poker scene and lives in Richardson, Texas.