Puggy Pearson

1. A four time WSOP bracelet winner including the 1973 Main Event title who was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1987.

Brief Biography

Pearson was nicknamed "Puggy" stemming from a childhood accident that left his nose disfigured at the age of 12. At 17 he enlisted with the Navy, serving three terms and was a noted poker player and gambler during his service time. Pearson died in 2006 at the age of 77.

Inventor of the Poker Tournament

Pearson is credited with inventing the freeze-out tournament. Prior to 1949, all poker games were played as cash games. He originated his idea with "Nick The Greek" Dandolos, who brought the idea to casino owner Benny Binion. What followed was the World Series of Poker.