The expression “all you need is a chip and a chair” has been a part of the poker world for decades. The story originated during the 1982 World Series of Poker. A well-known gambler named Jack Straus thought he had busted out of the Main Event when he realised he still had a single chip on the table. He was able to take that single chip and parlay it into one of the most incredible comeback stories in gambling history by winning the Main Event bracelet — and $520,000.
Not quite one chip, but close
While Jack Straus’ story has never quite been replicated in a major tournament, there have been others who have come close to such awe-inspiring comeback stories. One of those stories occurred recently when the professional Austrian poker player Josip Simunic won the European Poker Tour Deauville High Roller Event for €309,170.
Josip had started the final day of the tournament with fewer than four big blinds. Although Josip had bested the 116 players who had already busted out of the tournament, his stack put him squarely at the bottom of the remaining 12-person field. The Austrian player was able to build his stack fairly early on, but an ill-fated bluff caused his stack to crater to barely five big blinds.
Fortunately for Josip, a couple of lucky coin-flip all-ins helped him rebuild his stack once again, and he ultimately was able to beat the other 127 tournament entrants and take home the six-figure payday.
Josip’s story is just one more example of why gambling, both online and live, continues to be one of the most popular hobbies for so many men and women, young and old. The thought of combining skill with the perfect streak of good luck is an experience rarely matched in life, and stories like Josip’s remind us why we play the game in the first place.
