David Chip Reese

Chip Reese – The First $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. Champion

David “Chip” Reese won the first $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event at the World Series of Poker in 2006. The final table of the event is considered to be the strongest final table in World Series of Poker history. Chip Reese, Phil Ivey, Doyle Brunson, T.J. Cloutier, Andy Bloch, Jim Bechtel, David Singer, Patrik Antonius, and Dewey Tomko all came together to take their shot at the bracelet and the $1.7 Million prize. The players at this final table had 28 bracelets between them.

Unlike the following final tables since, the final table of the first $50k H.O.R.S.E. was played as no limit holdem to make better television for ESPN. This was an unpopular decision by most H.O.R.S.E. players and the final tables of following events are played H.O.R.S.E. style.

Patrik Antonius was the first player eliminated, followed by Doyle Brunson. Dewey Tomko made a couple of fortunate double up, but eventually fell in 7th place. Singer, Tomko, Cloutier, and Ivey were all eliminated before the game became heads-up between Bloch, and Reese. The heads-up up match between the two lasted over 7 hours and was the longest heads up match in the history of the World Series of Poker. Andy Bloch had Chip Reese all in and behind three times, and each time, Reese was able to catch a hand to win. Finally, Andy Bloch was short on chips and had to call an all-in bet from Reese only holding 9-8. Reese held A-Q. The flop came J-7-7 to give Bloch a gutshot straight draw. The turn and river missed both players, and Chip Reese outlasted Bloch to win the first ever $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event.

Chip Reese was a staple of many high stakes cash games for many years. He was famous for his even temperament and his ability to defeat all challengers. Reese’s first venture into cash games was in a high stakes Stud 8 or Better game with players such as Johnny Moss and Doyle Brunson in the mix. He was able to win over $20,000 in his first attempt at the game, and never looked back. Reese was considered one of the greatest Seven Card Stud players in the world, but was proficient in all games. In fact, many players, including Doyle Brunson, considered Reese as the greatest all around poker player of all-time.

Sadly, Chip Reese passed away suddenly December 2, 2007 in his sleep due to complications from Pneumonia. His death was a shock to everyone, including longtime friend Doyle Brunson. Friends and family from all over the world paid tribute to their fallen friend including Brunson who stated that he thought that Chip would be the one delivering his eulogy. Soon after his death, Jeffrey Pollack, Commissioner of the World Series of Poker, announced the winner of the H.O.R.S.E event starting with the 2008 winner would be awarded the David “Chip” Reese trophy as well as the gold bracelet. This trophy will serve as a memorial to the man considered the greatest poker player of all-time.