POKER INFO - PROILE - Stu Ungar

To Stefanie ungar, Ive been reading articles etc on the internet about your dad and have to say he does seem abit of a legend in the poker world. Alot of the things written seem to be mentioning that your dad was like a maths whizz who could calculate complicated odds in his head and had a photographic memory etc. Do you have any anicdotes you could share with us on this? im just interested from reading what a remarkable mind your dad had. thanks PS-looking forward to the book!

In response to vampyre... I am just curious to know why you would think because of his high intelligence it would of been unlikely for him to be christian?

My dad had what is called true NATURAL talent. Of course that's nothing new but he didn't wake up one morning and decide "I want to learn how to play cards really well." By watching his mother play gin rummy when he was 8 or 9 is when he noticed he was in a different league when it came to cards. He would watch her play and he started catching her mistakes. In school is where his teachers noticed he was unlike other kids. His ability to understand math was scarey. Kids use to call him a "freak of nature." I feel like I am giving everything away. your not going to have anything to read about when the book comes out. I love talking about him though so I can't help it. I never realized how much he was looked up to in the poker world until he passed away. I always just saw him as my dad. Talk to you all soon I am sure.

Stef,I am also interested if Stu was a Christian (a true Christian that is). cheers

according to [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stu_Ungar[/url]
Billy Baxter backed him the 10k

hey stef im wondering if ur dad was a christian like u are i doubt it since his high intelligence would probably make that unlikely..no offense

When you accept Jesus into your heart you become Christian. What do you mean by "true Christian"? Do you mean... did he always live rightously? No, not always. But who does. Just because you are Christian doesn't mean you are perfect and never do wrong again. But the more you get to know God and his word you fall in love with him(that's in my case) and you turn from alot of your old ways out of your love for him.We all are sinners and that was the whole reason Jesus came to die on the cross so we can be forgiven for the times when we do fall short and sin. But yes he did accept Jesus into his heart before he passed away.

lol, what I meant by "true Christian" was did he accept Jesus as His Lord and Saviour. Great to hear that he did! thanks

HEy Stephanie XXXOO I missed you at the Breeze Bar the last time... Where are you now? Whats up when is the book coming out?See ya soonH~

Dear Stefanie, I have been reading about your dad lately and the whole story saddens me. On the one hand, he had great talent and sounds like he was the best at gin and poker, on the other, he had his demons which got the better of him in the end and he left you behind. He also lost more money than most people will ever see in their lifetime.But unlike some idiots who have posted remarks, I do not judge as it is not my place. The way some people talk on this site, it's as if they've never made a mistake in their lives.The talent and skill your dad had was inspiring and being very interested in poker, I can only hope to be 1% of the player he was.It really annoys me when people who don't even know him say he was lucky, or stupid (because of his addiction) or this, that or the other. God, you didn't even know the guy. Give your opinions on the facts. The guy was amazing at poker and gin. The rest is none of your business really. Some of the things that he done at the tables blew my mind. Amazing.Anyway, I hope your book does very well, I know I will be buying it (assuming it is released in the UK).Best wishes. HP.

Dear HP, Thank you so much for thoughts. I have often felt the same way. When people talk about ALL the other poker players they never mention what they battled in their personal lives they just talk about their poker skills and acomplishments. I guess it's human nature to want to know the dirt in peoples lives. My dad never kept anything a secret to begin with. He was an open book to begin with so I can't get mad when people always highlight his drug problem. But thanks again for showing your human side to me. So many people do act as if they have never made mistakes in life or had any problems. It's funny because now I see what celebrities go through. The book will be out in the UK. Take care.

Stu was the greatest. He physical and mentaly should not have played in the last WSOP event that he won. He always had his daughter on his mind during the whole time. And you know what? I remember watching that finals game. He looked like a zombie...but I will say this. He still won the whole enchilada. He must be god to win despite of the fatigue and demons he had to fight. Stu is in heaven and I would go all in on that bet!

I am just curious since I am relativly new to poker. I started just a year ago. 2 questions, If Stu Ungar were to enter an online site such as UltimateBet or Full Tilt poker Could he be as successful as in a live game (I mean completely torch the field) Secondly, with all the new online amateurs who play, would Stu still have domination over someone who will just call on anything and catch. Just curious.

Well i reckon for a start he would probably be playing in the biggest online game possible so you would have to be rich or stupid(or both) to "call on anything".As far as his maths skills...they will obviously be the same,perhaps become even more important online with RE value betting etc.Also his fantastc memory would also come into play alot remembering different players styles of play and deducing what hand his opponent holds from betting pattens over a number of hands.Its probably a very good guess that he would be a big winner at internet poker IMO!!

Okay that does make sense. Stu Probably wouldn't have a great deal of success in a micro limit game .05/.10 NL holdem or play chips simply because people play any 2 cards like aces. However in a big game say $25/$50 NL,betting patterns, bluffs, reading players more of that comes into play. I'm just curious about online reads because there are no facial jestures, no card or chip placement. Only the cards.

from what i understand of top level pro poker,alot less is learnt about an opponent from physical tells than you would think.The staring an opponent down and trying to make it look as if they can see into your sole is more to intimidate than anything else.Much more is learnt from betting pattens and the story of how a pot develops than someones tick!

im pretty sure the more intelligent u r the more averse u r naturally to irrational thoughts and beliefs which is what believing in god is. obviously there are exceptions but its pretty easy to see there is no god. u can actually just about prove it, i know i can. thats not to say that there is no higher intelligence that created the universe but certainly the judeo-christian-muslim beliefs are total bs. by the way stu was awesome and i wish u all the best. peace

Dear Stefanie, I applaud your courage and am deeply moved by your devotion to your father. Every father should be so fortunate and I'm sure he now is as happy as any dad could be. I never knew your dad, just caught the end of his poker career. From what I can see he was the best, simply the best, as Mr. Stupak out it. I look at your dad as a tortured genius (maybe that wouldn't be a bad title :-). He certainly was a genius, and most geniuses not only find it nearly impossible to teach what they know, but many have trouble outside their comfort zone. Many also have addictive personalities, which can be a curse that counteracts the blessed genius. The bottom line is I believe what I read and hear about him being the best and I am pleased most of all that you have great memories of him. It's sad he won't get to see grandchildren in person (he will, however, from above), as I'm sure he'd love that. I hope the book works out well for you (and for his memory). Just a fan and a caring voice. Good luck to you and let me know if you'd like to e-mail chat sometime.

Dear Vampyre, I usually do not respond to posts focusing on religion but yours caught my eye for one particular reason. When you mentioned intelligence making one more adverse to irrational thoughts I found myself remembering relating strongly to that statement when I was in a profession that always required analytical thought and proof. I actually did not change my thinking until I saw a documentory on Stephen Hawkins ( one of the most brilliant scientists of our time ) come to an analytical conclusion that was based on math that there was a God. I by the way am not a person who believes in any one particular religion as I believe they are some how all linked aathough I can never prove that lol. I guess my point in a nut shell is that I don't believe you have to be based in a particular religion to believe in God and I feel that if one of the most intellectual minds of our time changed his views based on math and probabilities then maybe you might reconsider the possibility. And I agree, Stu was awesome and I wish you all the best also.

Mike, What is the fascination with Stefanie Ungar????....youv'e never met her...don't know her...youv'e only heard of her father through his famous poker skills.Like ive said before on here,its great that she comes on here to answer questions and talk about her dad etc.But anything apart from discussions on her dad and poker is irrelevant to any topic.To be honest no matter how many times you assure us your'e not a weirdo the fact that you are so desperate for contact with this girl you dont know ANYTHING about is abit strange.The reason im saying this is I dont want her to leave these msg boards through some stalker because it is interesting hearing her talk about her dad.Take it easy.

Stephanie - The greatest single event and acheivement in your dad's life was when he accepted Jesus into his life. Jesus did not come to walk the earth 2000 years ago to condem all of us sinners, but to Save us. I am so glad to hear that your Dad was saved and is spending eternity in Heaven. And yes, his life and your book will probably help save many others from a life of addiction. I really hope you mention in your book about your dad accepting Jesus. That alone is worth more then any WSOP victories. Before all of you respond that I am some sort of Jesus freak. I am a former abuser of alcohol and drugs that has since turned his life around over the past 4 years by accepting and asking for Jesus help. And it worked !

I definitely agree with you. I am so glad to hear that you have been clean for four years. You are one of the many, many people I know who has the same story as you do. I want his whole life story told in the book and movie so I have to figure out how to add that in there. Good luck to you and God Bless!

Stefanie,I know there are lots of weirdos out there as you said, but I assure you I am not one of them, you would see that the moment you saw and hung out with me. as I said I am planning a move in the very near future to Las Vegas and would love a friend who knows the city a bit, restaurants, apt's etc.. I would really appreciate it if you discuss this with me via my email(jmaguire11@yahoo.com). I asked if you practice Judaism at all cause I am jewish myself from New jersey, living in Arizona now. I am very gifted at cards too, though I do not play poker or Gin rummy, only Blackjack actually, leaves the element of risk and luck out of the equation usually. I hope you can tell that I am super normal stefanie and a great guy. lets's get better acquainted, email me if you can please, nothing tried nothing gained. If you cant take the risk you cant reep the benefits later Mike

stefanie ur daddy was backed by bob stupak and not billy baxter before you get on here claiming to be someone your not get your facts together. R.I.P kid

If you don't think my facts are straight then you could actually watch the ESNP piece that was done on my dad and you will see Billy Baxter telling the story from his own mouth. By the way, my dad was backed by just about everyone in town but on the last WSOP he entered he was backed by Billy. He had a thing about being backed. Don't ask me why!!

It's pretty undisputed Stu was the best NL Holdem player ever. However how did Stu do in other games. Did he have the same domination in say Limit Holdem, 7 card Stud, Razz, Omaha, so on and so forth. Also yes Baxter bankrolled Stu for the 97' WSOP. Would love to see Stu in these mega fields and torch people half to death. I just hope that in my lifetime we see another king of the poker moutain.

You know what hurts most?! To here some people judge stu or even talk about who he was , or where did he go wrong. it really hurts. Guys don't waste your time , the man was a legend and always Have been one. Thats a fact. And in the gambling world and specially poker his name will never be forgotten. The true poker players( the ones you love and idolised) even don't dare to talk about him.And don't you guys worried he has been blessed.you people who criticize him, please go and make something out of your own life.In the game he loved and in the world he chose to walke it, he did grave his name, and it will stay for ever. god bless your soul stu and million of us love you for ever.

stefanie, can you at least please email me (Jmaguire11@yahoo.com). I promise you I am not crazy at all, I am 26 and very educated, classy and normal actually. also, I only asked about Judaism cause I am jewish and I knew your dad was as well.. But as I said I may be moving to the Las vegas area real soon and would love a friend to meet up with there and know. someone who can show me around a bit and make the transition a little easier.. I think through all your experiences and situations and knowledge about your Dad can also help me out and make it so I benefit from his experiences and keep the mistakes to a minimum... knowledge is power and we all need all the help we can get. stefanie please have the courage to email so we can talk, you wont be disappointed or regret it at all, I promise you.thanks Mike

stalk much?

I am not going to get together with you. That's nice to know you might be moving to Vegas, I am sure you'll like it. You don't even know if I still live in Vegas so how could I show you around. Plus that wouldn't be smart anyway. I am glad your a fan of my dad's but I can't hang out with everyone who say's they want to know more about him. So maybe when the book comes out that can help you in some of the areas you say you need more info on. Just to let you know, my dad didn't recomend becoming a prof gambler to anyone. He said it's a hard lifestyle that most people don't realize.