Known in online circles as “darkhorse”, Todd Brunson is the son of poker legend Doyle Brunson. Interestingly enough, Todd didn’t learn to play poker as a child as his father apparently didn’t hold that a priority. He learned later, while attending Texas Tech University, by himself and he arrived to the conclusion that he wanted to be a professional poker player by himself too. Eventually, that decision led him to quit school altogether.
Todd Brunson is mainly considered a cash game player, but he’s had his share of tournament success too. He is a regular presence at the Bellagio in the world’s biggest cash game, where he usually plays side by side with his father.
The explosion in popularity of poker tournaments has made it clear though that the real money is in high buy-in live tournaments these days. Therefore, Todd is gradually shifting allegiances from the cash table to the tournament one these days.
That, of course, doesn’t mean he hasn’t had tournament achievements in the past. In 2005, he won a WSOP bracelet in the $2,500 Omaha Hi Lo event, which meant a prize of $255,945 for him and which made him and his father the first father-son duo to win at least a WSOP bracelet each.
Altogether, he finished in the money in 22 different WSOP events, and made it to 13th place in the Big Dance in 1992. He also has 5 money finishes in the WPT.
He contributed the chapter on Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo Eight or Better to his father’s book, Super System 2.
Other poker achievements of his include a Poker Superstars 2 Grand Final presence (he played against Johnny Chan), and a Poker Superstars 3 Grand Final victory against Antonio Esfandiari.
Todd Brunson’s lifetime live tournament winnings are rumored to be around $3.2 million, but word has it that once he won $13.5 million over two days in a heads-up cash game.
He is currently a regular presence on GSN’s High Stakes Poker.