We are never satisfied with what has already been achieved. Rather, we must always stake out new territory. It is this pioneering spirit that was responsible for the great work of Louis and Clark, among other world-class expedition leaders. Let's face it, if we were satisfied to celebrate what already has been achieved, we never would have explored this nation west of the Mississippi River.

Therefore, is not surprising that poker fans are always looking to their favorite players to do something beyond that which they have done in the past. In fact, sometimes we can be downright impatient when it comes to demanding new and even more impressive feats of greatness. But, it must be understood, this is because we love our heroes so much. It is for their sake that we want them to break any barriers - either self-imposed or created by the outside world.

Therefore, you can imagine how thrilling it was back in 1977, when Doyle Brunson performed a truly amazing feat at the World Series of Poker. Do you want to know what it was? Okay, I'll tell you.

He won the main event championship title for the second year running. In so doing, he became only the second person in the history of the tournament up to that point to pull off such a victory. The first person was Johnny Moss, who won in 1970 and 1971. But you must remember that Johnny Moss was only competing against six other players. Doyle, on the other hand, was matched up with thirty-four highly skilled and tenacious poker geniuses. All of them were trying their very best to prevent him from winning two titles in a row. And yet, despite their best efforts, Brunson simply would not be denied. He showed an incredible amount of courage and tenacity in pulling off this most unbelievable of feats. And, to this day, he is one of only four men in the history of the World Series of Poker ever to do it.

So, if you ever hear someone talking about the great "Texas Dolly" and you aren't sure exactly what he's done to deserve such praise, just remember that back in 1977 (when you were probably still sucking on a pacifier) this guy was making history and building one of the greatest WSOP careers that we are likely to see, ever.



by Arthur Crowson