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In every other year, the World Series of Poker was a mish-mash of storylines. In 1997, there was only one that mattered. Poker’s prodigal son, Stu Ungar won the world championship in 1980 and 1981 as a young, cocky, inexperienced genius. He’d since fallen on hard times, with drugs and gambling dominating his life.
Ungar’s cocaine habit and lust for action had cost him some ten million dollars and his marriage. The cartilage in his left nostril had been worn away by the drugs. He wore a pair of oversized blue John Lennon sunglasses in an attempt to hide his shame. He was broke at the beginning of the ’97 series.
Billy Baxter, the seven-time bracelet winner and always a shrewd investor, backed Ungar for the main event at the last minute. With Stuey’s late entry, he was assigned a seat outside the main room, but his survival of the first day got him back into the big time. Once there, he survived an initial draw that included Bobby Baldwin, Doyle Brunson, Berry Johnston and Phil Hellmuth.
The final table was held for the first and only time in the Fremont Street Experience, the series of walkways just outside Binion’s Horseshoe in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. While the surroundings gave the proceedings an uncertain feel, Stu knew his victory was destiny. The entire poker world was focused on what was undoubtedly the greatest comeback story in poker history.
Ungar dominated the final table, throughout which no one seemed to doubt he’d emerge the victory. Gabe Kaplan, doing television commentary, practically named him the winner before play began amongst the final six; tournament director Jack McLelland referred to the final table of nine as “A former world champion and eight wannabes”
The end came when Ungar drew out against John Strzemp’s all-in as if destiny had already decided upon the winner. Ungar raised to $40K from the small blind with Ah-4c. Strzemp called with As-8c and the flop came Ac-5d-3h. Strzemp bet out T120K, then called when Ungar moved all-in. John had the math on his side, but reality was a different story; after the turn came 3d, the river was 2s, hitting Ungar’s inside straight and giving him the title.
Gary Wise
gary@wisehandpoker.com
