Poker World Mourns Passing of Legend Crandell Addington

The famous poker legend, Poker Hall of Famer and entrepreneur, Crandell Addington, passed away late last week. The legendary poker pro, known as one of the people who played an important role in the founding of the World Series of Poker (WSOP), as well as a number of successful businesses, died at 85 on Sunday.

Back in the late 1960s, Addington helped one of his friends organize a competition that gathered some of the best poker players and high rollers from across the country. This competition became famous as the Texas Gamblers Convention in 1969 and turned into the WSOP the next year.

Besides winning the Texas Gamblers Convention, Addington made it to the WSOP final table on seven different occasions during the 1970s. His exceptional talent and skills set this record which still stands to this day. According to a report by Legacy, Addington’s close friend, Doyle Brunson, called him a “No-Limit Hold’Em Legend.”

The nickname doesn’t come as a surprise, considering that Addington was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame back in 2005. The entrepreneur and professional poker player is also known for his famous words: “Limit poker is a science, but no-limit is an art. In limit, you’re shooting at a target. In no-limit, the target comes alive and shoots back at you.”

A Successful Businessman and Entrepreneur

Recalling the 1960s and the 1970s, Addington, who spoke at a Harvard University meeting, revealed that back in those days, the high-stakes players, including him, carried guns. According to Addington, the guns were not for shooting between each other but rather for protection against potential robbers. “What we really wanted to be able to do was, if we won, we wanted to be able to get back to the car with the money. And so, not only did we have to beat a lot of really good players, but we had to dodge the hijackers and often times the sheriff of the county,” he explained at the time.

After retiring from poker around the mid-1980s, Addington founded a successful oil business in Texas. Back in 2003, he also helped co-found Phoenix Biotechnology. Addington served as the company’s chairman and CEO before he had to resign due to his health.

Besides being a proven professional poker player and entrepreneur with successful businesses, Addington contributed to many good causes throughout his life. He helped a number of animal charities while also providing financial support for the education of family members.