Poker legend Chip Reese dies

It’s a sad day in the poker world. David “Chip” Reese, one of the pioneers of the game, and, really, part of the reason that sites like inspin.com are around, has died at age 56.

Reese as the youngest player ever inducted into the Hall of Fame, in 1991. That honor is usually a lifetime achievement award, showing how dominant he was.

Reese was born on March 28, 1951, and learned to play poker as a small child when he was home from school, suffering from rheumatic fever. After graduating from Dartmouth College, Reese headed for Las Vegas with plans to attend Stanford Business School in the fall. But during that summer, Reese won a tournament for $40,000 and continued to grow his bankroll to over $100,000 and never went on to graduate school.

Reese won three World Series of Poker bracelets, including the $1000 Seven Card Stud Split event in 1978, the $5000 Seven Card Stud event in 1982 and the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event in 2006.

Reese devoted less time to tournament play in deference to cash games and was a regular in the "Big Game" at the Bellagio. He was also a renowned sports bettor, considered to be a preeminent baseball handicapper.

Said Mike Sexton: "When you mention poker 'greats', put Chip Reese on the top of the list."

Barry Greenstein referred to him as the "Jack Nicklaus of Poker."