The poker world is deeply saddened by the passing of David "Chip" Reese who died at his home in Las Vegas last night. Widely considered to be the best all-around poker player of all time, Chip was just 56 at the time of his death.
Chip's love affair with cards and poker began when he was a young boy growing up in Dayton, Ohio. Rheumatic Fever kept him house-bound for the better part of a year, and his mother entertained him during that time by teaching him a variety of card and board games that he credited with igniting his passion for poker.
At Dartmouth College, Chip regularly played poker, bridge and other games with fellow students and professors while earning his degree in Economics. Years after his graduation, Chip's influence remained so strong on campus that his fraternity's card room was named in his honor.
Upon graduation, Chip earned admission to the Stanford Business School, but decided that his future lay elsewhere after winning $40,000 in his first visit to Las Vegas.
Chip's talent and enthusiasm soon caught the eye of some of the game's more established players, including Doyle Brunson, who asked him to write the Seven-Card Stud chapter in his best-selling Super System. In the book, Brunson describes Chip as "one of the two finest young… poker players in the world" and the best Seven-Card Stud player he had ever faced.
Best known as a cash game specialist, Chip was no stranger to tournament final tables, winning more than $3.3 million in prize money and three WSOP bracelets over the course of his career. His most prestigious victory came at the WSOP's 2006 $50K HORSE event where he bested one of the toughest fields in WSOP history, earning more than $1.7 million.
Chip was the youngest living player admitted to the Poker Hall of Fame. He was a legend of the game and one of the most respected players of his – or any – generation.
FULLTILT MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR CHIP REEESE -