Terrible.. Learned a lot from that man.. Class act .. Rip

This is the man that made me a great player. R.I.P. Bill. You turned me into one of the most respected players in my games. Thank you Bill you will be missed. This is a major loss to the poker community. You can not be replaced. I was lucky to have spent the time together that we did. You were truly the best kept secret in the poker

It was not only strategy. When I was in my biggest drawdown a couple years ago (about 6K in 2/5) you were so confident after going over all of my big hands that I will come right out of it and it will make me an even better player. And I did come right out of it and I skyrocketed after it.

You were more than a poker coach. You were a life coach.

I didn't know him as well as some of you, but my brief time with him made me the player I am today. His words rattle around in my head all the time. I loved having that guy in my corner. So sorry to hear this news.

I wish I had gotten the chance to get to know and learn from him. I'm very sorry to hear this news. RIP.

I've been a student of Bill Hubbard for approximately the past two years. He changed my life. I owe it all to him that I'm a professional poker player now.

I'm just really shocked and sad to hear this news…and it's so unexpected and sudden. Although I have been taking a bit of a break from Skype sessions lately, I've continued emailing hand histories, and I was just talking with him through email a few weeks ago.

I keep thinking, maybe it didn't really happen…maybe those 2+2 posts were misinformed…maybe I'll see him on Skype again soon, greeting me in his unmistakeable gruff voice: "Yo, yo yo…what's up, buuuuuddy?" But I know that's just denial on my part.

I regret not being able to say goodbye, or to tell him one more time just how much all his fantastic coaching has helped me and changed my life for the better. I regret that I never got to meet him in person. Selfishly, I regret that I will no longer be able to study with him, because I know there is a ton more I still could've learned from him. I honestly feel like no matter how many other coaches are out there, he was truly one-of-a-kind and irreplaceable.

Bill was an incredibly hard worker who was passionate about coaching and deeply grateful for and concerned with the success and well-being of his students. I would describe his coaching as very practical and no-nonsense; he would thoroughly describe a certain theme or concept, and then beat it into your head through hand after hand of illustrative examples.

He would never just tell you the answer. Instead, he would help "clear the forest for the trees" so that you could figure it out for yourself. And he wouldn't pull punches. "Ewww…why would you ever check-raise there? That's terrible!" Likewise, when he offered praise, you knew he really meant it. I remember how great it felt, after running through a hand history or whatever, to hear him say things like, "Very good! We're on the same wavelength today!" "Do you realize what you just did? Do you realize how good that was? A lot of students follow the program, and they do well, but what you just did was go another level beyond that and adapted it to the current game situation…that's world class, right there, buddy!" And he had a great sense of humor and would often say things like, "Oh, good answer! I tell you what…who's your coach?"

He also described himself as your "corner man" and this was very much true. I remember about a year or so ago, after starting off a particular month with a bad downswing. I felt terrible and emailed him about how much money I lost in the downswing. He immediately replied to my email, and with only four powerful words, he instantly helped get my head back on straight: "Character building, that's all." We then talked further through Skype and he explained again the nature of variance, and how we must be careful to not let run-bad turn into play-bad, etc. I went on to salvage that month as much as possible, and then followed it up with my most profitable month ever. This is just one of many examples of how he was not just a coach, but a mentor and a friend. To this day, anytime I'm going through a tough poker run (or a tough spot in life, even), I hear those words: "character building, that's all."

He had a number of little phrases or ways of speaking that will frequently pop into my head while playing poker: "SBRTA," "well…that would be kind of white blackbird-y," "Here's the thing…" "I tell you what…" "Let me ask you something…when you bet this flop, what are the hands you expect to call you…and what hands would you expect to maybe raise you? If you can't explain to me why you're betting and why you're betting a particular amount, then you're asking for trouble…"

He told me before how his students were kind of like sons to him, and how much pride he felt in helping us. Although I never met Bill in person, after talking with him for hours upon hours over Skype, I truly felt close to him. This is a devastating loss to me and all his students, and for the many who will never get the chance to study with him. You will be incredibly missed, coach. I will think of you often and especially, of course, while at the poker table.

Rest in peace, Bill.

How is it that there is no obituary? I would hope that no one would be sick enough to spread rumors but then again who knows...

What was the cause of his death?

I believe his brother is posting an obituary in a virginia newspaper tomorrow. If/when I find it, I will post a link

So shocked I'm still having a tough time believing this is real.

The guy was a beast, totally underrated, and a great human being. I was among his first students, and he's the one who taught me the game. Who REALLY taught it to me. Every single aspect of it, and it aint only about cards and ranges. No other books, vids or forums came close.

This is messed up... Right now I'm staring at my binder of notes taken during his sessions, its basically a book unlike absolutely any other ever written. And it's depressing the **** out of me to think I'm not going to add a new chapter.

To think last time we chatted at the Bellagio, he was pumped and in good health.

RIP Bill, hope you're having fun wherever you are. You deserve it.

**** this.

Hey Everyone. Justin Oliver here. Most of you know of me because I was Bills first student.

It has been confirmed by the police that Bill has indeed passed away. I'm overcome with sadness as Bill was one of the nicest, kindest people I knew and a brilliant poker mind. I would not have close to the success I have had in poker if it weren't for Bill, and I would not even be a professional poker player as I was in my family jewelery business when I met Bill but he saw something in me.

The details of Bill's death are cloudy to me right now as family members have used the word suicide, and police are telling us its being investigated as a homicide. I'm sure details will be released when the investigation is complete, and if I find out anything concrete I will post it here.

For now, I just want to express my gratitude for the man, my love and my sadness at his passing. He truly was a great leader, teacher, poker player, and friend.

I have not been informed of any funeral arrangements as of yet, or memorial service. I will post that information here as it becomes available. If nothing is done by the family, I will arrange something myself.

Love and peace be with you all on this sad day

Thank you Justin for the info. This is sad and absolutely tragic news, but thanks for proposing to keep us updated.

I am blown away by this news,
Ive been a student of Bill's for years and started when he first started his coaching business. Bill quickly became a mentor and more importantly, a great friend. He had a huge heart, and always had good things to say about everyone.
RIP Coach

RIP Bill

Saddened to hear this news. Ive been searching for the last few weeks for a live cash game coach and reading up on various coaches. But after reading Bills posts and bios, and responses in this very thread, I knew Bill was the coach for me. I just completed the intro quiz, and was eager to make contact with and learn from the man who was clearly on another level of thinking. And his thought process was what I would imagine would be ideal for NLHM cash games. In addition to his thought process and approach to the game, it appeared that he was always accessible and someone who would always be in your corner.

I regret that I will never have the friendship and coaching, the feeling of what could of been. If anyone has any suggestions on like minded or styled coaches, or if anyone is thinking of picking up where Bill left off, I would be eternally grateful for any PM suggestions.

I feel Bill would want us to continue on, keep improving ourselves and our games. I trust that if I was drawn to have Bill as a coach and you had Bill as a coach, that we have personalities, and learning styles that are similar. I trust advice and council from a group lead by AintNoLimit.

Respectfully,
Chris Glasgow,
MastaC707

RIP Bill. Though I never got a chance to meet you in person, I truly felt a connection with you through our Skype sessions. You always gave me great advice, both in poker and in life, and you genuinely cared about my success and well-being. You were a great guy and I will always be grateful for what you've done for me.

Like many others I am absolutely heartbroken by this news. Sometimes deaths are sudden, sometimes they are overdue. Nonetheless, they always hurt. This one hurts. I never met Bill in person, but like others I felt like I knew him because of our shared interest in poker.

I started coaching with Bill in 2013 because I was at the absolute bottom of my game. You see, I am a rec player (fish) who just wasn't getting it. I thought I would try coaching because I had nothing to lose. I did not do a ton of research, but after reading his coaching thread here on 2+2 I felt he could help. He did. Immensely. He taught me to see the game through a different lens. He was patient, thoughtful, and made me feel like he would give me the shirt off his back if it made me a better player. He made me a better player.

Recently, I had to pull back from coaching due to my work schedule. I would continue to send him hands and during our last communication at the end of the HH I wanted him to review, I said, "Don't give up on me, I just have to take a break." He replied, "I never will, I'll be here." I was looking forward to resuming in a couple of months.

His personality and helpfulness will leave an indelible impression upon me. I recall when his mother died, he was so thankful for everyone who passed along their condolences. He was truly touched by the outpouring of support.

Working 7-days a week at the pace he did always worried me because it seemed as if he never ever took a break, and at his age, although not old by any stretch, he seemed like a candidate for major health issues. So to hear that foul play or some sort of self inflicted demise is even more heartbreaking. I am not even sure I want to know the details. While the reality is we may never truly know why, I would prefer to remember ANL for the person he was during the hours we shared the game of poker.

Thank you Bill for all you did for me, and for your students. Sorry we couldn't spend more time.

My condolences to his wife, son, family, friends, and all the poker players touched by the pleasure of knowing him in whatever manner you did.

RIP ANL

Z

I was only coached for a short time by Bill, but I can echo a lot of what you guys are saying about his personality. I could really tell that he enjoyed what he did, and he made it fun. He was a good guy, who was very energetic and passionate about poker and coaching. While I only knew him for a bit, the news of his passing is sad and I would like to extend my condolences to his family.

RIP Bill

Hope he didn't take his own life, obviously had alot of people who cared for him in his life. He caught alot of heat for plagiarizing his material but that was just business on our end in a cut throat industry.

See you on the other side.

RIP Bill.

I didn't know him aside from the contributions he made to these forums but it sounds like he touched a lot of people.

I started coaching with Bill back in 2011, and it changed my life.


I was able to make an incredible amount of money going through college without having to worry about working a 9-5, and was able to visit all of Europe, parts of America, and lived in India - and I owe 100% of my success in poker to bill. I finished school with money in savings, and a list of experiences, and a mini dream fulfilled of being a "professional" poker player - thanks to Bill.


I never tried taking my poker to a next level after I made decent money at 2/5...like $35-50/hr? I forgot how much. Bill gave me all the knowledge to be a great player... I stopped coaching with Bill after I became a successful 2/5 player as my dream was to never play 10/25, etc for whatever reasons... But we stayed in touch over the years. He still helped me through downswings and important life decisions.


I remember telling him how much I HATED playing poker, and wanted his advice about what to do after a couple years into the game. He gave me incredible advice, and I left go to travel to India/Nepal. It was one of the best things I have done. (playing poker for 20/hrs+ a week for years sucks)



Bill was an incredible coach, but he was an incredible mentor as well. I told my friend he passed and he said...well "you paid him like $125/hr, right?" but Bill gave me better life advice more than anyone ive known. He was my corner man while I was in college, and I never had that from anyone else.



I haven't visited these forums in years - and I never do. But I couldnt help but read earlier in the thread with all these people who seemed intent to discredit Bill. I'm not sure why they spent their energy discrediting him. For anyone reading this - know he had the power to change a losing 1/2 player into a winning 2/5 player within 5 sessions if you were smart enough. Not just that - but he is incredibly caring person, and would always be there for you. He was truly the "best kept secret" in poker.


You will be missed Bill.

Wherever his memorial service is, I will be there.

RIP Bill. My condolences to his family.

I did coaching with Bill for around a year. While I eventually decided to move on, I do believe he always had his students best interests at heart and genuinely seemed like a good guy.

RIP

I've been holding myself from posting a testimonial about Bill's coaching until I get my bankroll into the positive. I'm so close. He was my first ever coach. I've been under his coaching for just over two months. I've learned a lot. Most of my leaks are plugged.

You will be missed, Bill. RIP.

Man…this is so tough. I really really wish I could've said goodbye and thanked him one more time for how much he helped me and my poker game.

Miss you, coach.

Devastated to hear the news. Bill always seemed so full of life and energy. I'm on the plane waiting to take off for Las Vegas now - I was supposed to be meeting up with him and was really looking forward to it.

He also completely changed my approach to poker - within even just one session my understanding had improved dramatically.

He supported me through the inevitable downswings, so much so that he even reduced his hourly rate to help me get through the tough times.

Big up to the ANLPoker Crew, let's crush for Bill.

RIP Bill, you were a gentleman, sir.

Well said, man. I was just thinking today how one of the best things we can do is help his legacy live on by striving to play well every session…to never forget all the tools he taught us.

There will be some S-S-B's this week in your honor, coach!