1975 World Series of Poker - Recap

In 1975, the World Series of Poker grew once again. Twenty-one players put up the $10,000 to compete for the title of world champion and a gold bracelet. The tournament was growing, but it was still a Texas Road Gambler’s Reunion at heart. A trio of Texans comprised the final three competitors at the final table. Brian “Sailor” Roberts, Bob Hooks, and Crandell Addington faced off for the championship. Roberts had a reputation for being a ladies man and enjoying a hearty zest for life. T.J. Cloutier said, “Boy, did Sailor love the girls and the parties,” in the book, “All-In the (Almost) Entirely True Story of the World Series of Poker.” Roberts had also built quite a reputation as a poker player traveling to road games with Amarillo Slim Preston and Doyle Brunson in Texas during the 1960’s.

Addington was dressed in his finest; his opponent Roberts wore a short-sleeved jumpsuit that must have made “Dandy Crandell” cringe. Maybe it was too much for Addington, as he was the first of the three players to be eliminated. This set the stage for a battle between two hardened Texas road gamblers. Hooks moved all-in on the last hand for T59,500 on a flop of 7h6c2c. Roberts held T150,500 at the time and decided to call. Roberts flipped over his pocket jacks and saw that Hooks held the Jc9c. Hooks’ flush draw received a little help on the turn, when the 9s was dealt, but he was eliminated when the 10h fell on the river. Roberts took home $210,000 and the gold bracelet. “Sailor” will always be considered one of the top hold’em players ever when he was at the top of his game, but in a similar fashion to another poker legend that wasn’t always the case. Roberts’ fast ways would ultimately lead to his premature death.