I read in Johnny Chan's book that one time Chan, Doyle Brunson, and Chip Reese traveled to Europe to play high stakes poker with a dying billionaire. They were out in a secluded area with not much to eat. Each player was delivered 2 hamburgers. Doyle and Chip ate both of their's real quickly, while Chan was still on his first one. Doyle and Chip both started bidding on Chan's burger, and the bidding quickly escalated into the thousands. Chan said no thanks and ate the burger himself.

“I’ll stop playing at my funeral, and only God knows what I’ll do after that.” -Chip Reese

Don't know if this has been posted yet, but yesterday Barry talks about Chip on his audio blog.
http://www.pokerroad.com/_/the_bear_blog/10-25-07/

WTF?

Johny Chan has a book?

He has two books.

I once had the pleasure of interviewing Chip on camera for the 2005 WSOP. He was the nicest guy in the world and could tell I was very interested in getting better at poker by how enthusiastic I was with my interview questions. After we shot it, he pulled me aside and gave me his number and said anytime I want to buy him lunch he'd be more than happy to give me some pointers. He loved poker and was simply excited that another person had also fallen for the game.

Of course, I never did get the guts up to call him and take him to lunch. I guess I'm an idiot.

The first time I saw Chip Reese play a hand of poker was in 1984 at Slim's Super Bowl of poker. Eric Drache had just come back to his seat with a $5000 bundle and sat back down. The game was high-limit stud. I was standing behind Eric and saw that he had a J,7,4. Chip raised and Eric reraised. It eventually got down to just him and Chip with a lot of back and forth raising, and somehow Eric made a straight or trips, I can't remember. Chip just rolled his eyes and smiled at Eric. Eric was the big fish in those days.

I used to watch the big game for hours and hours after I got through playing for the day. Back then the big games would often be on the rail and there was no security there shooing people away. Dewey, Stuey, Gabe, Doyle, Sarge Ferris, Chip, Ken Flayton, Slim, Chan, Jay Heimowitz, "What a player" Ray Zee, Don Zewin, Sam the Jewler, Bettey Carey, Seymor, Lyle Berman, Ralph Morton, Jack Strauss...those were some of the players you'd see come and go.

One day I was watching Chip play in a $100 $200 blind no-limit game. He played every hand. I mean every single hand. Unless there was some kind of an unreasonable raise he would just come into the pot. How can this be? It was fascinating to watch.

The next day I got into my $5-$10 no-limit game and tried playing every hand. I ended up having my worst day in years.

there's now 2 idiots in this thread, (maybe another thread) who Chip offered poker mentoring to, who declined. I can't ***** imagine....sorry but damn wtf it's depressing to think about...

Ellix Powers once made me this same offer!

Yes I am one of those idiots and depressed about it, but it was within the last few months. I have been moving into a new place and buying some investment properties. I did not think that I had to contact him so soon , it seemed like an open-ended offer. Anyways, it really sucks now obviously. Not that I am upset for myself, just that I feel bad that I didn't take him up on it immediately and now will never have the chance to.

From what I remember from Michael Kaplan's excellent book, "Aces and Kings":

Chip and Danny Robinson had won a lot of money from a known mob associate in a home game. The mob guy started hassling the guys and making veiled threats against them, if they didn't pay him back his losses.

I don't remember how, but Chip and Danny got hooked up with Tony "The Ant" Spilatro, who contacted the guy and told him to lay off Chip and Danny. Chip says in the book they were glad for the help, but were still always afraid of Tony.

There's also the interesting story of Chip playing in one of his first big stud hi-lo games at the Flamingo, (against Doyle, Johnny Moss and others), and making the straight flush wheel to scoop a huge pot.

Someone posted this quote on the B&M forum a few weeks ago, but I'll copy it here. There was an interview with Steve Wynn and they asked why the Mirage Poker Room wasn't bigger. (I believe the interview was prior to Bellagio opening) Wynn's response was:

"I didn't build the Mirage poker room so that Doyle Brunson and Chip Reese could make millions."

I was 22 years old, 6 years or so ago. I have no clue the limits it was small like 1/2 nl, or 2/5nl.

I remember he just sat down, to waste sometime, before he had to leave somewhere.

We were all talking and I can remember him talking alot about girls, because the kids like me, were just chit chattin about them. He started saying about his childhood, and what not cracking jokes.

But the thing that stuck out to me the most, was what he did. A man, about 25 years old, real nice quiet man, but looked real down, and poorish, was in a hand with Chip. I believe the man had AA/KK and pushed PF, and chip called with AKss, and flopped a flush. We all could tell the man was about to cry, and didnt even say a word.


The man went walking away, while chip got out of his seat, to catch this guy. He walked him back near the table, and took his wallet out. He told the man listen I am not going to say I am sorry for what I did, but I do feel bad. Take this and build your dreams apon it, because I feel some potential in your game. Come back 20 years from now, and I will remember you. Chip smacked a bundle of 100's into the mans hand, maybe 15 or so.




Just sharing what a gentleman he was.

my favorite chip reese story is probably the time he killed my dad

that was classic chip

excellent story

i don't get it

Dominic - good story. Can that footage be seen anywhere?

That man was Andy Beal.

WELL PLAYED MR. REESE.

Chip Reese on being a winner:

"It's not just knowing how to play, it's CHARACTER. I've always maintained in gambling being what people call the best player is not what it's all about it. It's not about superstar plays....whether you're a hundred thousand winner or a hundred thousand loser, you are going to play the same way. You are not going to get flustered. You are not going to fire off your money when you are stuck. You are not going to drink and fire off your money in the pit.(Some people) have the same talents and potential, but there is something that makes some people win. It's a will to win. "

A True Legend.

Are you trying to be cute or are you just being a dick? Either way it is not funny. Show some respect.

I have a vague recollection of reading somewhere that when the big game first started happening in vegas in the 1970s, Chip Reese turned ~$30,000 into ~$700,000 in three days. I wish I could remember the specifics, but if that story is true and not merely an invention of my memory, it's awesome.

RIP, Chip. Always seemed to be one of those guys who was universally respected in terms of his character and feared in terms of his play - an excellent achievement that speaks volumes about his life.

QFF'nT!

You have the story somewhat backwards. Spilotro went after like 25% of Danny and Chip's profits, and Chip told Benny Binion, and when Chip was supposed to meet with Tony to discuss specifics, Benny had a group of guys come in and Spilotro never bothered Chip again.

I got an idea.. shut up