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Today, a special edition of the Wise Hand of the Day. I know I haven’t quite finished the World Series of Poker Final Hands series, but this is a special occasion. One-hundred years ago today, poker’s first superstar was born. His name was Johnny Moss.
Moss wasn’t like today’s players. He came from a different time and place, where cold and hard were adjectives one survived by. Anything less would result in getting robbed, getting cheated or getting killed. Moss defended himself with a good offense, carrying a gun and never afraid to take a hold of an unfair advantage.
For all of the darker moments, there was no doubt he was the finest player of his time. Moss is best remembered for two poker-based accomplishments; the dismantling of Nick “The Greek” Dandalos in their famous 1949 match, which is now credited for inspiring the World Series of Poker, then winning that event three times.
“He was the best” Doyle Brunson recalled in Steve Rosenbloom’s ‘The Best Hand I Ever Played’. Brunson’s choice of hand was one where he read a Moss bluff, finally convincing himself he could play with anyone.
“This was a cash game in Vegas.” Brunson recalled, “The guy in the first seat made a small bet the size of the pot.” Moss and Brunson both called, with Doyle holding J-10. The board came K-8-7 2 3.
“The first guy checked and Moss made some kind of real big bet,” Doyle continued, “ and I thought to myself he was drawing at a straight and he missed it and he thinks he’s going to win this pot. I called with just jack-high. The other guy paired kings and threw that away.” Moss has 6-5.
“That was my greatest hand because I think that kind of defined the moment that I became what I knew was a real top player.” It was an initiation by fire administered by the greatest player of his time. Johnny Moss, 100 years old today.
Gary Wise
gary@wisehandpoker.com
