Stu Ungar: The Poker Prodigy Who Changed the Game 

The poker world is filled with intriguing tales and legendary figures, but perhaps none as captivating as Stu Ungar. Known as a poker legend and a high-stakes poker virtuoso, Stu Ungar’s life reads like a thrilling, high-stakes game with its share of triumphs and tribulations. His incredible journey through poker tournaments, characterized by unmatched skill and a tumultuous personal life, has left a lasting legacy in the chronicles of poker history.  

Stuey Ungar’s Early Life 

Stuey Ungar, born on September 8, 1953, was practically destined for a life of gambling, given his family’s deep involvement in the world of risk-taking. His father, Isidore, owned a Foxes Corner Bar and Social bar, which doubled as a discreet gambling den on 118 Second Street. Situated in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the club’s proximity to Little Italy made it a hotspot for wise guy mobsters and local celebrities, drawing in a diverse and vibrant crowd. The young Stuey found himself drawn to the club’s alluring atmosphere, characterized by dim lights, vices, and the palpable tension that accompanied money and the presence of mobsters.  

Stuey’s father recognized his son’s ability to pick up on strategic card games very early in life but still protested that his son be involved because he had seen firsthand the darker side of gambling, but the child prodigy was drawn to high risk and reward like a moth to a light.  The strategy needed to win stimulated the young genius who was rumored to possess an exceptional IQ of 140 and has been said to have photographic memory, Stuey’s talent was apparent at just ten years old when he emerged victorious in a local Gin-Rummy tournament, swiftly making a name for himself in the local gaming circles. 

Stuey’s academic pursuits took a backseat as he was so advanced that he skipped the seventh grade but eventually dropped out in tenth grade. This decision was marked by personal tragedy when his father passed away from a heart attack in 1967, leaving Stuey to care for his sister and mother, who had suffered a debilitating stroke a month prior. Despite being a young teenager, Stuey took on the heavy responsibility of supporting his family. During these difficult circumstances, he became deeply involved in the bustling New York gambling scene, spending countless hours at the tables, building connections, and refining his skills. 

At the age of 18, he developed a close bond with the mobster and card shark Victor Romano, who was a member of the Genovese crime family. Romano, being older, took on the roles of protector and mentor to the young prodigy who played a significant part in Ungar’s life. This association proved invaluable as Ungar’s bold attitude and exceptional talent occasionally caused friction with his less forgiving adversaries. During this time, he also met a striking young cocktail waitress named Madeline Wheeler, who worked at a local card room. These two relationships will have a major impact on his life. 

Ungar’s Road to Vegas 

Ungar’s insatiable appetite for gambling grew, and due to his reputation, he couldn’t find a card game that welcomed him. This led him to venture beyond strategic card games in search of quick thrills. Craving the rush, he embraced high-stakes bets on unpredictable events like dog racing, hoping for a significant win to cover his growing debts. Unfortunately, these debts posed a threat, and because the locals knew him, he could not make money playing cards. This combination prompted him to leave New York in 1976. 

Vegas seemed like an ideal fit for the young gambler, offering limitless possibilities for his exceptional talent. However, this allure came with a dark side, as the city was a natural breeding ground for inner demons that readily exploited vulnerabilities, plunging Stuey’s life into a turbulent and conflicted existence. His life became a constant battle between his love for games and the destructive nature of his addictions. 

Making A Name for Himself 

Upon his arrival in Vegas, Stu Ungar quickly established his dominance in Gin-Rummy tournaments, showcasing his exceptional gaming intelligence. His effortless transition to playing blackjack was a testament to his remarkable proficiency. However, his skills led to casinos deeming him unwelcome from the Casino and his opponents informing him that he was not permitted to participate in these events.  

Despite setbacks, he ventured into sports betting and started playing heads-up poker, a popular format in Vegas. This marked a significant shift in his career and added an exciting new chapter to his journey. One of his memorable opponents was the renowned poker player Billy Baxter, who was left in awe after losing $40,000 to a slick New York kid who had to sit on a box to reach the table. This encounter marked the beginning of a lifelong friendship between the two and led to his poker nickname, “The Kid” – a moniker that captured his youthful appearance.   

Poker – The Up’s and Downs of “The Kid”  

Poker was a game that both intrigued and infuriated the young genius, as it didn’t come as naturally to him as other card games. His initial struggles with the game were a testament to his perseverance. However, within four years of coming to Vegas, Ungar took on the biggest game at the highest stakes and took the Poker World by storm by winning back-to-back World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Events in 1980 and 1981. He later admitted to ESPN commentator Gabe Kaplan that his first Main Event win in 1980 was the first time he ever entered a No Limit Hold ’em (NLH) tournament. 

The Main Event victories were a result of Stuey Ungar’s innovative playing style, which made it hard for his opponents to anticipate his moves. He never hesitated to take risks and make big bets, likely because of his background of using cards to support his family, dealing with mobsters, and being exposed to gambling at a young age. Ungar’s impact on modern poker is significant, as his aggressive playing style and strategic depth set the stage for future generations. His exceptional ability to read opponents and make bold decisions resonated with many players who wanted to follow his lead. Stuey’s success highlighted the importance of psychological insight and risk-taking in poker, elements that are now crucial in high-stakes games and tournaments worldwide. 

“The Kid,” success in the biggest game came from his pioneering playing style known as loose aggressive. This style revolutionized high-stakes poker and has had a lasting impact on the game as we know it today. His unpredictable moves consistently caught opponents off guard, making it difficult for them to anticipate his next move. Ungar’s influence on modern poker is substantial, and his playing style has been emulated by future generations. His exceptional ability to read opponents and make bold decisions resonated with many players who sought to follow his lead. Stuey’s success underscored the significance of psychological insight and risk-taking in poker, aspects that are now integral to high-stakes games and tournaments worldwide. 

Despite all of these accolades many of his problems from his early life started to take his toll on him, as he was still associated with the Genovese crime family, as they frequently still backed  him he also had turned what had been a reactional use of cocaine that he started using after his mother’s death in 1979, into a full blown addiction to that started as a tool to stay awake for the grueling hours of tournament play.   

This drug problem led to unstable moods and this was apparent in the 1981 Main Event win, because it almost did not happen, as the night before the series, Ungar lost his cool with a dealer and spit on him, which the infamous Billy Bionian the owner of Horseshoe Casino to kick “The Kid” out, stating he could not return, but Binnions son realized that Ungar’s prodigy was good for business so the band was lifted.   

In 1982, one year later, he married Melanie Wheeler, his soulmate and the rock that had been part of his life on and off since he was a teenager. That same year, she gave birth to their daughter, Stephanie. Ungar truly loved his family, but his drug addiction and gambling proved to be too much for the young family. They divorced just 6 years later, and his inability to make this relationship work haunted him throughout his life and was a great source of pain for all involved. 

Ungar enjoyed the finer things in life and was known for his generosity when he had money. However, he had a hard time holding onto money despite reportedly winning over $30 million during his lifetime. It’s fair to say that gambling had become an addiction for him. His constant need for action led him to bet on horses and make huge sports bets. This, combined with his extreme drug use, took over his mind and strained his relationships with backers and friends, as he was seen as unpredictable. Over the years, many of his friends tried to persuade him to go to rehab, but he refused. 

In 1990, the strained relationships took a further hit when “The Kid” was poised to claim victory in the Main Event again. However, on the third day of the tournament, he was discovered unconscious in his hotel room due to a drug overdose. Despite this, his exceptional skills had allowed him to amass such a huge chip stack that he secured a place at the final table, ultimately finishing in 9th place and winning $25,050. 

The Come Back Kid 

In 1997, Ungar’s old friend Billy Baxter decided to take a risk on the genius kid he knew before the demons took over. He backed Stu, who at the time did not have a penny to his name and put up the $10,000 for the main event seat. Stu’s return was met with intrigue and coldness, as his reputation of being unstable, unreliable, and at times not very friendly did not make him a loved player. However, his genius made him revered, and people wanted to see his greatness firsthand. Everyone knew that Stu was the man to beat, and he masterfully dominated the tournament. Mr. Baxter’s risk paid off, and Ungar made history by winning the Main Event, becoming world champion for the third time. After this win, the Las Vegas media deemed him “The Come Back Kid.” 

The Final Act 

Within four months of becoming the World Champion and winning 1 million Dollars, Ungar’s vises returned, and he lost it all. On Friday, November 20, 1998, he checks himself into room number 6 at the Oasis, a seedy hotel on the edge of the iconic Las Vegas Strip that could be rented by the hour. Two days later, he was found dead at the age of 45 by the hotel staff. Although the cause of death was never found, the Rabbi, at his funeral, attended by over 100 poker players, declared that he died from a disease of drug addiction.   

Ungar is widely supported by the poker community as the greatest player to ever play the game. He won 5 coveted WSOP bracelets and had 16 cashes in the WSOP. He also won legendary Amarillo Slim’s Super Bowl three times and became World Champion three times by winning the WSOP Main Event. However, his tragic story is a cautionary tale, highlighting that even geniuses have weaknesses. In the end, he succumbed to his demons and left the world penniless and alone.