Poker Legend Puggy Pearson died last week at home after a long illness. He was 77. Puggy was a member of the Poker Hall of Fame. He played in the very first World Series of Poker at the Horseshoe in 1970 and won the event in 1973.

Born Walter Clyde Pearson in Adairville, KY, he joined the Navy at age 16 and honed his skills as card player and pool shark. After the Navy He became one of the old roadhouse gamblers, traveling around the country looking for "fish" to fry. At the height of his career he had his won bus to travel in. On the side of the bus was his name and the quote: "I'll play any man from any land, any game he can name for any amount he can count." In very small print below the quote was written, "Provided I like it."