David 'Chip' Reese died in his sleep early on the morning of December 4, 2008. He 'folded' quietly, and although he may have lost this, the last hand he played, he was a winner in the game of life.
Chip was extremely smart, a Dartmouth graduate, probably the most successful poker player of all time, and great at all games, There's no doubt in my mind that he would have become a multi-millionaire in any profession he'd chosen because he really was that much smarter than everyone else in the world. If there's one thing you should know about Chip Reese, however, know that he understood the 'object of the game'.
Years ago, I was talking to Chip about another Hall of Fame poker player that we lost too early, Stu Ungar. I asked Chip if he thought Stuey was the most talented player he had ever seen. Chip said, "Natural ability-wise, yes. Certainly, he was the quickest minded guy I've ever known. Stuey's problem is that he doesn't understand the 'object of the game'. The object of the game is to accumulate wealth, improve your lifestyle, and provide for your family, and Stuey will never get it." Chip did.
Many old-school poker guys like myself were thrilled to see Chip capture the inaugural $50,000 buy-in HORSE tournament at the 2006 WSOP because most of us feel Chip is the best all-round poker player in history. For over 30 years, Chip played multiple games against all comers in the highest stakes cash games in the world. And I mean he always played in the highest game in the room - never the second highest game.
Chip Reese was the youngest player ever inducted in the Poker Hall of Fame and deservedly so. And Chip and his son Casey had closest father-son relationship that I've ever seen. (Casey, our hearts go out to you.)
Poker players have always admired Chip for his success, his demeanor at the table, his lack of ego, and that he never 'steamed' or went on tilt. I'd suggest we remember him for one guy who truly understood the 'object of the game'.
Rest in peace, Chip.
Mike Sexton
