Profiles

The poker pro they call “Chainsaw” made it look easy, cutting his way through the competition at this year’s World Series of Poker on his way to eight cashes in the 20 tournaments he played.
 

Donnie Vann started playing poker in the ninth grade on a junior high trip to Washington, D.C., when he was about ten years old. Donnie played off and on, but about five years ago, he became caught up in the poker excitement like so many others in the wake of Chris Moneymaker’s astounding win in the World Series of Poker. He started playing online and in casinos near his home in Jacksonville, Florida.
 

Where have all the 7-card stud players gone? Well some of them are still here, and Herman Blumenfeld, who celebrated his 102 birthday this past February still plays regularly at Commerce Casino.
 
Herman might be the oldest 7-card stud player at Commerce. In fact, he might be the oldest regular poker player in any casino you care to name. But it keeps him young, keeps his adrenaline flowing, keeps his mind active, and he still enjoys the game as much as he ever did.

The Tachi Palace's Card Room Manager John T. Stewart, a former professional singer with a heart for hard rock, could be considered the Mick Jagger of his business. Born in Santa Cruz, California in 1971, Stewart is nowhere near as old as Jagger, but he has staying power in a business that, in some instances, has a very high turnover rate. Stewart is the kind of guy who is loyal and likes structure, and with over seven years at Tachi Palace, this rocker turned card room manager believes he has the best gig in town.

The Tachi Palace's Card Room Manager John T. Stewart, a former professional singer with a heart for hard rock, could be considered the Mick Jagger of his business. Born in Santa Cruz, California in 1971, Stewart is nowhere near as old as Jagger, but he has staying power in a business that, in some instances, has a very high turnover rate. Stewart is the kind of guy who is loyal and likes structure, and with over seven years at Tachi Palace, this rocker turned card room manager believes he has the best gig in town.

On Nov. 6, after a long battle with cancer, poker legend Hans "Tuna" Lund passed away at his home in Moundhouse, NV, aged 59.

His given name was Hans James Lund. Though the family called him Jimmy, the poker world knew him as Tuna. During one game an unknown player at the table said, "You are a fish, not a big tuna." Lund wanted to be considered a fish at the table, and so the name stuck. "Shark" would have been a more apt description for the way he ate up his opponents.

Beginning in 1979, the World Series of Poker has inducted 37 of the most influential and legendary gamblers into its Poker Hall of Fame, ranging from Edmond Hoyle, the 18th century inventor of the rules for card playing, to "Wild Bill" Hickock, to modern day superstars such as Doyle =Brunson, Phil Hellmuth, and Johnny Chan.

No one specifically comes to mind when you think of the premier Badugi players in the world. Although Badugi has been played in poker circles for years-especially in high stakes mixed games-the game is still in its infancy and not as popular as hold 'em, stud, or Omaha. Badugi is a fixed-limit lowball game with four cards and three chances to draw. You're seeking the lowest low hand but with different suits.

The curse that is part of a long life is that you watch your friends pass on. Bob Stupak was a friend of mine. We helped each other in business and shared many personal moments. Bob was a character of the first order, a unique and creative individual far beyond the crowd of his peers. Sometimes he annoyed people with his ideas.

For most of the summer, an online player from Sweden known only as "martonas" dazzled everyone on the rail as he ran up his bankroll to almost $3 million in a short period of time. Many of the top pros in the game, including Phil Ivey, David Benyamine, Patrik Antonius, Gus Hansen, and Tom "durrrr" Dwan, actively sought out martonas at the nose bleed tables. Martonas accomplished what many of us wished we could have done-challenge the best in the world and fleece them for millions.