Chip Reese

David Edward "Chip" Reese was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1951 and showed exceptional intelligence from an early age. He attended Centerville High School, where he excelled academically and athletically. Reese earned a scholarship to Dartmouth College and was later accepted to Stanford Law School, where his poker career would begin.

In 1974, Reese took a weekend trip to Las Vegas during his first year at Stanford Law. He won so much money that he never returned to law school. Within a few years, he had established himself as one of the most feared cash game players in the world, regularly competing in the biggest games at the Bellagio.

Reese's brilliance lay in his versatility. Unlike specialists who focused on one game, he excelled at every form of poker: Hold'em, Seven-Card Stud, Razz, Omaha, Lowball, and mixed games. His ability to shift gears between formats and read opponents regardless of the game made him nearly unbeatable in mixed game sessions.

Reese was a fixture in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio for decades, a lineup that included the best players in the world. His presence was both feared and respected. He mentored numerous players and was known for his generosity in sharing knowledge with those who showed genuine interest in improving.

In 2006, Reese won the inaugural $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. World Championship at the WSOP, the ultimate validation of his all-around skills. He died in 2007, and the event was renamed "The Chip Reese Memorial Trophy" in his honor. He was the youngest player ever inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame at age 36 and is widely considered the greatest all-around poker player in history.