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When Stu Ungar made his way to the 1980 World Series of Poker — a competition he’d ultimately win — he wasn’t taken seriously. He’d played one tournament, finishing thirty-fourth of forty-one in Amarillo Slim’s Super Bowl of Poker three months earlier. Now he was booked at 50-1. Still, as each day of the event passed, he transformed himself with his newfound experience, finally taking control with five players left and never relinquishing it. He defeated Doyle Brunson in a memorable final.
When Stu Ungar made his way to the 1981 World Series of Poker — a competition he’d ultimately win — he wasn’t taken seriously. He was the returning champion, but still seen by some as a fluke in the previous year’s victory. Vegas bookmakers had him at anywhere from 25-1 to 40- 1. Brunson, Bobby Baldwin, Johnny Moss, and the other familiars were given better odds.
The tournament didn’t start out well for Stuey, who was forced all in three times on the first day. Treading water, he survived long enough to go on a day two run that saw his stack grow from 35,000 to 340,000, giving him the chip lead.
At the final table, Ungar was joined by a strong supporting cast. Stuey took out four-time bracelet winner Jay Heimowitz, then did the same to future world champion Bill Smith. Alaskan fur trader and long-time semipro Perry Green almost crippled Ungar when Green’s A-Q hit an ace on the flop against Stuey’s pocket kings. Ungar had just 81,000 left when a third king came on the turn, giving him the hand and leaving the two close in chips.
Perry would take the lead by eliminating two players: “Top Hat” Ken Smith, a chess master known throughout poker circles for calling “What a player!” after winning large pots; and Texan pro Gene Fisher, who’d fought his way through on the small stack and almost completed a comeback. Green had a 400,000-350,000 advantage going to the finals against Ungar.
The match-up was a study in opposites: Green, a rounded, capped, bearded man, spent the majority of his time trapping in the wild surrounding Anchorage. Ungar was the cleanfaced, bone-thin, brash, cocky city kid.
Perry was excitable, jumping in his seat, a huge smile on his face. He chatted happily with Brunson, paying heed to the lessons Super System had taught him. Every joke was funny. Everything was good.
Ungar was dour, quiet, miserable. He held his opponent in contempt (as he often did), staring him down, a mix of confidence and lethargy. For the first half hour, they traded blows and the chip advantage. Despite Ungar seeming in control, Perry took a 450,000-300,000 lead into a hand that, considering Green’s earlier conversations with Brunson, would have an ironic turn.
Green was dealt 10c 2c. Brunson had won his two championships with 10-2, inspiring the hand’s nickname. Ungar checked his big blind for a flop of Jd-9c-8c, giving Green four clubs and an open-ended straight draw. Stuey bet out 65,000 and when Green went all in, he called and slammed his Ac Jc down triumphantly. Perry’s flush outs were no good and the straight didn’t come. Ungar had a 600,000-150,000 lead.
The gallery thought it was all over, but Green fought his way back up to 250,000. Still, Ungar’s attack was steady and the constant raises and re-raises started to wear Perry down. Ungar finally coaxed him into a sticky situation. He raised with Ah Qh; Green called with 10c 9d.
The flop came 8h 7d 4h, giving both players strong draws and two overcards. Ungar bet again, and this time Perry came over the top for his whole stack. Stuey considered the situation for a moment, but it was a nobrainer. He made the call, flipping the cards out with his standard defiance.
Green needed a non-heart jack, a ten, a nine, or a six to take the lead. Instead, it was 4c, leaving his outs intact. Regardless, the river was Qd, giving Ungar his second straight title and earning him a place alongside Brunson and Johnny Moss. They both congratulated The Kid, who then, when asked by broadcaster Curt Gowdy what he’d do with his $375,000, famously replied, “Lose it.”
Perry Green is still around, showing up to the World Series in 2006 and taking home a little money. He’s also been active in trying to get cardrooms legalized in Alaska. Still, he never came this close to the brass ring again. He won $150,000 for his second place finish.
For Ungar, it never got better. His skill was never questioned again, his name always entered in best player debates. Drugs would do him in by the end of the decade, leaving a faded copy of the ’81 version; but at the poker table, he was taken seriously for the rest of his life.
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