Genetics are a funny thing. Scientifically speaking a parent's genetic code determines their child's physical attributes, personality traits, and whether or not they are likely to visit the "Betty Ford" center at some point in their life. Rarely is ones ability to manipulate a hand of cards and bluff people out of their socks mentioned by any geneticist not in the employment of MGM of Bally's. Any debate on whether or not poker skill is an inherited trait ended when second generation phenom, Todd Brunson, entered the ranks of professional poker players.
In 1992 the Texas native played in his first World Series of Poker Championship. Todd finished a respectable 13th in this "No Limit Hold'em" competition. Since this WSOP baptism, Brunson has gone on to win ten major poker events and place in the top twenty in a score of others. A WSOP Championship bracelet had always been just out of his reach though. This frustration ended on June 21st, 2005. At the WSOP, Omaha Hi/Lo Championship in Las Vegas Todd Brunson finally claimed a gold bracelet of his own. The final table at this competition included a who's who from the world of professional poker. Lurking among the final nine were also a couple of former champions. Todd took the gold bracelet in a dramatic, come from behind, victory over Allen Kessler. Todd and his father Doyle Brunson are the only father and son tandem to both win WSOP bracelets. Todd routinely plays in (and wins) the highest-limit poker games in the world. His impressive resume of victories, one that now includes a WSOP Championship, allows him to step out of his father's long shadow and stand alone as one of the best poker players in the world.
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