Doyle Brunson to Play in 2021 WSOP

Despite being 87 years old, Doyle Brunson still gets around to poker rooms. He even plans on participating in the 2021 World Series of Poker this fall.

Brunson announced via Twitter that he’ll be competing in “a few” tournaments. He and other players will need to wait until the fall, though, because the 2021 WSOP is running from September to November this year.

I'm planning on playing a few select tournaments in the WSOP this year. https://t.co/9um2zalbIR

— Doyle Brunson (@TexDolly) June 15, 2021

Brunson Hasn’t Played in the WSOP in Three Years

Given his age and bout with cancer last year, Doyle Brunson would certainly be excused from ever participating in the WSOP again. In fact, he hasn’t played in an event since 2018. Nevertheless, he plans on grinding in some tournaments this year.

In 2018, he took sixth place in the $10,000 NL 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship. By final tabling this event, he became one of only three players to make a final table for each of the five decades that the WSOP has existed. Jim Bechtel and Perry Green are the only others to accomplish this feat.

Brunson announced that he was retiring from the World Series of Poker the same year. The only reason why he played in 2018 is because his son, Todd, wanted him to do so.

Doyle didn’t feel like going through the grind of lengthy tournaments at the time. After all, he uses a cart to travel long distances, including any time that he must play poker in a large casino like the Rio.

Health Issues Have Plagued the Brunson Family

Aside from mobility issues and having to use a cart, Brunson and his wife, Louise, have dealt with other health issues.

Doyle survived cancer for the fourth time in 2020. He also had to self-quarantine in March of the same year after contracting COVID-19.

His wife, Louise, had cancer in 2018. This scare convinced Brunson to cut back on his poker play and spend more time with her. It also played a role in him choosing to stop playing in WSOP events.

It’s unclear exactly why Doyle has chosen to play in the series again after a three-year hiatus. Perhaps he’s not as concerned now that COVID numbers are dropping. He might also be itching to play live again since the Vegas poker scene is coming to life again.

That looks like a 1st edition. Pretty expensive.I'm in a self quarantine mode. The Corona can't touch me, I've been robbed at gun point 5 times, been stabbed, beat cancer 3 times and survived 3 car wrecks. But I don't want to infect my wife, she is too dear to me to take a chance https://t.co/mILkh0OETd

— Doyle Brunson (@TexDolly) March 12, 2020

Brunson Has a Chance to Add Bracelet #10

Even without playing in many WSOP events lately, Doyle Brunson is still tied for second all-time with Phil Ivey and Johnny Chan for the most gold bracelets. He has won 10 events in his illustrious career.

Of course, Brunson has no chance of catching the all-time leader, Phil Hellmuth, at this stage. Hellmuth currently boasts 15 bracelets. Brunson could, however, break the second-place tie with Chan and Ivey by winning #11.

Here’s a look back at all of the gold bracelets that he’s captured thus far:

• 2 bracelets in 1976 – $5,000 No-Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball; $10,000 WSOP Main Event
• 2 bracelets in 1977 – $10,000 Limit Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo; $10,000 WSOP Main Event
• 1 bracelet in 1978 – $5,000 Limit Seven Card Stud
• 1 bracelet in 1979 – $600 Mixed Doubles Seven Card Stud
• 1 bracelet in 1991 – $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em
• 1 bracelet in 1998 – $1,500 Limit Razz
• 1 bracelet in 2003 – $2,000 Limit H.O.R.S.E.
• 1 bracelet in 2005 – $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed