Bill Smith (March 14, 1934 – February 28, 1996) was a professional poker player who won the 1985 World Series of Poker Main Event.
| Bill Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 14, 1934 Roswell, New Mexico, United States |
| Died | February 28, 1996 (aged 61) Nevada, United States |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Bracelet(s) | 1 |
| Money finish(es) | 3 |
| Highest ITM Main Event finish | Winner, 1985 |
Poker career
editSmith was a staple at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) during the 1980s. He was involved in three final tables of the Main Event. At the 1981 and 1986 WSOP, Smith placed fifth, but at the 1985 World Series of Poker he won the bracelet and $700,000. His total tournament winnings exceeded $1,050,000.[1] His three cashes at the WSOP accounted for $788,800 of his lifetime winnings.[2]
Smith often played professional poker tournaments drunk. By all accounts, he was an alcoholic.[3][4]
According to fellow poker player T. J. Cloutier, Smith did not play well when he was sober or totally drunk. “Bill was the tightest player you'd ever played in your life when he was sober. And when he was halfway drunk, he was the best player I'd ever played with. No one could read opponents’ hands better than half- drunk Smith. But when he got past that halfway mark, he was the worst player I'd ever played with.” [5]
The year Smith won the Main Event, he entered the final day's play sober and just sat there while he warmed up. After he started drinking, he accumulated a huge pile of chips by well-timed aggressive play. He had so many chips once he was totally drunk that good luck led him to victory.[6]
World Series of Poker Bracelets
edit| Year | Tournament | Prize (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | $10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship | $700,000 |
Death
editSmith died on February 8, 1996.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Bill Smith's profile on The Hendon Mob". The Hendon Mob Poker Database. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ "Bill Smith". WSOP.com. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ Where Are They Now - Bill Smith
- ^ Holloway, Chad (November 11, 2010). "History in Spades: Bill Smith and the 1985 World Series of Poker". PokerNews.com. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
- ^ "Poker Player Press: Bill Smith".
- ^ Smith, Dana. "Interview with T. J. Cloutier". pokerpages.com. Advanced Global Applications, LLC. Archived from the original on October 11, 2008. Retrieved September 24, 2008.
- ^ "Poker champion Smith dies". Las Vegas Sun. March 1, 1996. Retrieved November 17, 2023.