Who is the Greatest Gin Rummy Player of All Time?
The Legend of Stu Ungar
Stu Ungar's Gin Rummy abilities were so extraordinary that they seemed superhuman:
- Won his first professional Gin Rummy tournament at age 10
- Banned from casino Gin Rummy by age 22 - no one would play him
- Could recall every card played and calculate optimal moves instantly
- Reportedly never lost a Gin Rummy tournament he entered
"Some people think I'm the best Gin Rummy player in the world. I don't think so. I know so."
- Stu Ungar
Key Achievements
| Accomplishment | Details |
|---|---|
| Gin Rummy Career | Undefeated in major tournaments; banned from casino play |
| WSOP Main Event Wins | 3 (1980, 1981, 1997) - only person to win 3 |
| Supersystem II | Wrote the Gin Rummy chapter for Doyle Brunson's book |
| Estimated Winnings | $30+ million (Gin Rummy and poker combined) |
What Made Him Unbeatable?
Photographic Card Memory
Ungar could track every card played and discarded with perfect accuracy. He knew exactly which cards remained in the stock and could calculate probabilities instantly.
Opponent Reading
Beyond card counting, Ungar read opponents' intentions from their discards and hesitations. He often knew what they held within a few turns.
Mathematical Calculation
His mind worked like a computer, instantly evaluating knock vs. Gin odds, undercut risks, and optimal discard sequences.
Why He Switched to Poker
By his early 20s, Ungar had effectively "solved" Gin Rummy at the professional level. No casino would offer him a game, and tournament organizers struggled to find opponents willing to face him. He transitioned to poker, where:
- Incomplete information created more challenge
- Multiple opponents diversified the skill requirements
- Betting dynamics added psychological warfare
Other Notable Gin Rummy Players
- Harry "Yonkie" Stein: Ungar's mentor, legendary in 1960s-70s
- Oswald Jacoby: Bridge and Gin Rummy expert, wrote definitive strategy books
- Amarillo Slim: Poker legend who also excelled at Gin Rummy
Legacy
Ungar died in 1998 at age 45, but his impact on card games endures. The 2003 documentary "One of a Kind" and the book "The Man Behind the Shades" chronicle his life. Many consider him the most naturally gifted card player who ever lived.