When my mind turns to the best players ever, in terms of cash games, it leaps to one man, who though sadly no longer with us, remains one of the highest quality players who has ever played the game. Ask any of the game’s greats such as Doyle Brunson or Barry Greenstein and they will tell you exactly the same. All of the top players I have played against here in the UK, said that he was a pleasure to play with and a superstar of the felt. Undoubtedly, before his untimely death in 2007, David “Chip” Reese was one of the best.
If you look at his credentials, on paper Reese’s tournament achievements may seem modest compared to the Brunsons and the Helmuths of this world but when it came to cash games he was simply unparalelled. In addition to being the world’s pre-eminent Seven Card Stud player for two decades, Reese had an incredible knowledge of all of poker’s variants and he excelled at most. Despite focusing on cash games, Reese still managed to amass over $3.5 million in tournament winnings, a Seven Card Stud WSOP bracelet, a Stud Hi-Lo Split WSOP bracelet and the innaugaral WSOP $50,000 HORSE title which has now been named the Chip Reese award in his honour and has become the de facto Pros’ Championship of the Series. He was also the youngest ever inductee into Poker’s Hall of Fame in 1991.
If you ask any of those lucky enough to enjoy the pleasure of Reese’s company at the felt, they will tell you he was a hugely gifted and intelligent gentleman who remained classy, calm and collected at all times. Very few were able to think at the same high level as Reese and the game that we play is sadly a lot worse now he has passed on. The poker world will never forget and doubtless will fondly remember the insatiable talent that was David “Chip” Reese.
This article was written by meshuganater.
Tags: cash games, Chip Reese, poker, Reese, Top Ten Players of All Time