John Bonetti died in Houston this week at age 80. The three-time WSOP bracelet winner was loved by players, hated by dealers, and according to his good friend Phil Hellmuth (via PokerNews), “[He would have been] a huge star if the cameras had come five years earlier.” Bonetti was an old-time player who found continued success at the tables even against a younger generation of players in a new poker era — all the way through 2006 when his health began to decline.

Venerable journalist Tim Russert has died at age 58 of a heart attack. Russert, of course, was the Washington bureau chief of NBC News and the host of Meet the Press … and he liked, played, and respected poker. It was during the 2004 presidential campaign where he addressed the Democratic strategy of trying to win the Rust Belt states by saying that going after Ohio was “like drawing to an inside straight.”

Too true …

Back in the day, Russert played in a home game with Johnny Carson.

I feel a sincere need to speak on this.

For the first time, I listened to the NWP Radio show last night because it was a tribute to Brandi Hawbaker. Her suicide has deeply affected me, and I hoped to hear some interesting perspective on her life and death. Almost two hours into the show, I did hear those things from Brandi’s ex-boyfriend Brandon and friend Jenn, though they were abruptly cut off in the midst of a very interesting discussion at the show’s end.

Dan Druff, who I know didn’t mean his comments in any sort of malicious way, exemplified many of the opinions I’ve heard since the news of Brandi’s suicide became public. People who have no personal, family, or friend history with mental illness have a rather narrow-minded and simplistic view of most types of mental difficulties. Brandon and Jenn did their best to dispel myths and shed some light on the complexities of people inflicted with such a disease, but it seems to be very difficult for outsiders like Druff to comprehend it.

Over the past week, I’ve had numerous conversations with people in the poker community about Brandi’s suicide. Most of their comments are rooted in pure shock at the thought of someone taking her own life. “It’s the most selfish thing someone can do,” someone said. “She must have done it to get back at the people who were mean to her,” another commented. “How does life get so bad that you want to die?”

More…

Serious news.

It has been confirmed by the guys at NeverWin Poker that Brandi Hawbaker took her own life on Sunday. She was 26-years old.

Brandi’s relationship with the poker community was a rocky one, to say the least. She certainly battled various inner demons for years, and it seems that the struggle was too rough. Anyone who has experienced that kind of severe mental instability knows that this may have seemed to her like the best way to end the battle, and it is sad that the illness won.

Rest in peace, Brandi.

The BTT crew: Poker talk fused with gay jokes and fat commentary was all the rage in 2007.

Some of you have been wondering, why no new episodes of Beyond the Table? Tom, Karridy, and I have been wondering the same thing. It’s been a good run, and with drinks in the air, three guys who clearly love/hate the sounds of their own voices are calling it podcast quits.

Back when we started, our show about poker but not really about poker stood out as revolutionary in a sea of lame poker interviewcasts with questionable audio quality. Soon after iPod sales were booming as more and more of the world got hooked on downloading poker audio with funny intros and Angry Julie cameos. But Tom couldn’t handle the celebrity and Karridy developed a crack addiction lives got busy and producers for Beyond the Table fared about as well as drummers for Spinal Tap. The show hired Shamus at a fraction of a Cambodian farmer’s wage to pump up our numbers — did he ever get his T-shirt? — but with a new generation of poker podcasts getting better and stronger (Lou Kreiger, Gary Wise, 2+2, Pocket Fives, Ante Up, Poker Road, et al) old-school payola wasn’t enough to save us from going out on the podcast bubble.

Listen below to a heretofore unpublished episode (recorded on 2-27, my dream flop) as your favorite semi-amateur yammerers phone it in for the last and final-ish time:

Beyond the Table: Fin

Thanks for listening via RSS, iTunes, play-in-popup, and direct download … we already miss ourselves.

You can still prank call Karridy on the Beyond the Table listener line at 888-820-8091.

As reported by Gambling911.com, professional poker player Ernest Scherer Jr., 60, and his wife Charlene Abendroth, 57, were found dead in their Pleasanton, California home on Friday morning.

While no details are being reported yet, authorities are investigating the deaths as homicides.

The Hendon Mob results are difficult to verify because Ernest Scherer only has two tournament cashes to his name, while Ernest Scherer III (presumably his son) is listed as having over $330,000 in tournament winnings.

Unfortunately, I have not had the pleasure to meet father or son during my time in the poker community. But in this terrible time, may the family find some peace.

Barron Vangor Toth (right) with his Gutshot photog friend Jen B at the WSOP.

Barron Vangor Toth died last week, reportedly of cancer. He was an intelligent poster on 2+2 who would later go on to make his presence known around the WSOP writing for Gutshot … respected for his ability to capture the underlying excitement of limit hold’em and math in action. He was also the Connecticut state director for the Poker Players Alliance.

Prior to poker, Barron ran a shop selling comics and Magic the Gathering supplies … and from there became a game designer — most notably the co-creator of WWE Raw Deal (basically professional wrestling-meets-Magic) — which grew for seven years before being discontinued at the end of 2007. At the time of his death, he was site director for PlanetWWE.

Barron wrote a little about his health struggles here. He was 34.

Sincere regards.

Funeral services are set for Friday, December 7th at 2pm. This will take place at Palm Mortuary - 6701 North Jones Boulevard in Las Vegas. (Thanks to Michael Craig for the heads-up.)

There may also be a public memorial service of some sort held at the Bellagio next week, but no plans are confirmed at this time.

The Associated Press reports that not only was Chip home when he passed away, but his 18-year old son found him. Reese is survived by that son, Casey, as well as his 16-year old daughter Taylor, and a step-daughter (believed to be in her twenties) Brittney.

For some thoughts from Barry Greenstein, visit his audio blog on PokerRoad.com. He reflects a bit on his memories of Chip, some of Chip’s great qualities, and the wake-up call that his death should be for many people in the poker world to take better care of themselves.

UPDATE: In lieu of flowers or other gifts of condolence, the Reese family has asked that friends contribute to the Alzheimer’s Association in Chip’s name.

Harrah’s writes in with the WSOP parent-company’s thoughts and condolences:

WSOP’s Statement on Passing of Poker Legend ‘Chip’ Reese

LAS VEGAS – December 4, 2007 – Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. and the World Series of Poker® issued the following statement today to express condolences to the family, friends and fans of poker great David “Chip” Reese, who died today following a brief illness.

“Many consider Chip the greatest cash-game player who ever lived, but he was also a World Series of Poker legend,” said WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack. “His victory in the inaugural $50,000 buy-in HORSE championship in 2006 won him his third WSOP bracelet.and made him a part of WSOP lore forever.

“On behalf of the WSOP and Harrah’s Entertainment, I want to extend to his family our deepest sympathies,” Pollack said.

Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. is the world’s largest provider of branded casino entertainment. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada, nearly 70 years ago, Harrah’s has grown through development of new properties, expansions and acquisitions, and now owns or manages casinos on four continents. The Company’s properties operate primarily under the Harrah’s, Caesars and Horseshoe brand names; Harrah’s also owns the London Clubs International family of casinos. Harrah’s Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. For more information, please visit www.harrahs.com.

[Photo: Flipchip]

Various trusted media outlets are reporting that poker Hall of Famer Chip Reese died in his sleep early this morning.

Wicked Chops mentions some recent flu or pneumonia symptoms, but nothing has been confirmed.

Here is a link to TJ Cloutier saying a few words at the WPT Boot Camp in the Bahamas today.

UPDATE: CardPlayer confirms in this article that Chip was admitted to a hospital last night with pneumonia symptoms and died in his sleep. He was 56.

NOTE: His PokerPages bio notes that when Chip was asked when he might consider quitting poker, he replied, “I’ll stop playing at my funeral, and only God knows what I’ll do after that.”

UPDATE: According to Gary Wise in this ESPN article, Chip called his doctor late Monday night complaining of pneumonia symptoms but never did go to the hospital. He died at home in his sleep.

Gary Smith, a Dallas player known as “Carpet Gary,” experienced a massive heart attack a couple weeks ago while at the table. The game stopped for the night as a few fellow players who knew CPR tried to revive him until paramedics arrived. He died later that evening at the hospital, survived by a wife and two daughters.

Smith was a Vietnam vet and all-around friendly family guy who was well-liked for his good nature, charming personality, and action-happy play around the low- and mid-stakes recreational games he frequented.

According to one player:

He played hold’em at whatever limit was spread between 1-2 and 5-10. He did not seek out specific games, he just liked to play. Enjoyed it because it was competitive even though his personality was more friendly than competitive. He enjoyed visiting with people as much as the competition. Like golf, I suppose. Whether the place was comfortable or the people were nice was more important than how juicy the game was — although he definitely was an above-average player who won more than he lost. He didn’t like to talk strategy openly, but every once in a while might ask a question or bring up an observation if there wasn’t anyone else around. He never, ever berated other people’s play and accepted bad beats for what they are — frustrating, hopefully infrequent, but more or less inevitable.

Several players followed him to the hospital and helped track down family members while he was being rushed to it. Many others attended Gary’s funeral. His remaining chip stack from what would turn out to be his final table was turned over to his wife, Mary.

That’s what I’m hearing. From a generally reliable source who heard it from some guy who heard it from some other guy in Vegas.

Quality journalism at its finest! Remember, you heard it here first.

UPDATE: Confirmation from the brick-and-mortar poker-room gurus here.

UPDATE: Mike Paulle’s insightful obituary.

Being a former WPT employee has its perks, like having friends who still work there and give up the inside information. This news isn’t the kind we like to report, but late on Thursday, September 6, the World Poker Tour semi that is decorated with the WPT logo was on its way to the tour stop in Biloxi, Mississippi when it crashed into another semi. In the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the night, the collision occurred and injured both truck drivers. Sadly, the driving trainee, along for the ride and taking a nap in the back of the WPT truck, was ejected upon impact and died.

The truck contained the entire WPT television production set, and a source said it was “trashed.” By the time the final table took place in Biloxi only a few days later, Kevin King, WPT Art Director, and his crew were able to reconstruct about 50 percent of the set, but there was reportedly a bit of a solemn air behind the scenes as the production staff was informed of the accident.

WPT has not released an official statement yet but is planning to do so.

UPDATE: The following statement was sent from WPT Enterprises:

While traveling though Texas in the early hours on Thursday, September 6th, the World Poker Tour semi truck that transports our set for WPT final tables was involved in an accident that tragically claimed the life of one of the drivers. The accident also damaged the final table set, which WPT is currently working to rebuild and restore to its original design. We hope to have it back on the road for the North American Poker Championship at the Fallsview Casino in Canada next month. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved in the accident and the family of the driver who lost his life.

Pat Johnson, one of the most lovable cranky old bastards you might ever sit across from at a table, died last week at age 63 — after a motorcycle accident in Alabama. I don’t know many details about his death, but a lot of Dallas players know a few things about how he lived the last few years of his life …

Pat was a widower in declining health, and there was something charming about the way this semi-retired accountant chose to enjoy his senior singlehood — surrounded by attractive young women, playing amateur and low-stakes poker, riding his Harley, and (shamelessly) wearing a t-shirt that said “Grandpa Gone Wild.”

More…

We would be remiss not to acknowledge the passing of Art Buchwald, who died last week at age 81. The venerable semi-political humor columnist and pioneering pseudojournalist played an accomplished-rich-man’s version of a Batface home game on Martha’s Vineyard with Carl T. Rowan, David Brinkley, Jack Valenti, and Llewellyn Thompson, among others. He won no World Series bracelets but presumably loved and respected the game.

(And though he was a super-old-school journo, he was hip enough to announce his own death via internet video obit. How can any blogger not find that cool?)

The Blogfather tributes keep scrolling in … and this one is just a little sick. But so a-little-sick that it’s pretty downright awesome. I bet it makes a lot of poker bloggers out there wish we could die, too! OK, maybe not quite … but really, am I the only one who’s just a little bit jealous that Iggy gets to leave this life of thankless typing?

(Last time I saw Jeremy – one of the very first greats to go down — he seemed pretty dern happy.)

Not sure who created the video below, but I found it via Otis at Up for Poker. Be sure to read Otis’ own Iggy eulogy as well … as is always the case, writing-wise, he knows how to best express what is going through so many of our hearts and minds.

ALT HED: Good Fold?