SOURCE: Las Vegas Review-Journal

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Brunson's leg never healed properly, and to this day he uses a crutch to get around the poker room.

Brunson soon picked up poker and the legend was born. He was one of the Texas Rounders, a group of gamblers who traveled the back roads of the state finding big-money poker games in the 1950s and 1960s. He eventually settled in Las Vegas in 1973 because he could always find the best action on the Strip.

Brunson was one of the six players in 1969 to compete in the original tournament poker competition, dubbed at the time as the Texas Gamblers Reunion. With the help of downtown casino owner and fellow Texan Benny Binion, the World Series of Poker was created.

Brunson won back-to-back world titles in 1976 and 1977. He also has recorded second-, third- and fourth-place finishes in the world championship event over the years.

Brunson has won 10 World Series of Poker events, which ties him with Johnny Chan and is second only to Phil Hellmuth's 11 championship bracelets. Through last week, Brunson had earned more than $2.5 million in World Series of Poker competition, finishing in the money in two events last year and one so far this year.

"I don't play in too many other tournaments anymore," said Brunson, who competed on the World Poker Tour and other made-for-television poker tournaments.

These days, Brunson enjoys playing big-money games at the Bellagio.

"I've always considered myself a cash game player," Brunson said. "There are certain guys I go way back with and we've developed a certain camaraderie."

Baldwin, who still plays the occasional cash game with Brunson, said Brunson has modified his methods to challenge today's Internet and television-trained player in tournaments.

"I think Doyle is playing better today than he was 20, 30 years ago," Baldwin said. "He's had to adapt to the changing tactics of his opponents. Doyle never misses a big game."

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