WSOP Legends Profile: Bobby Baldwin

Posted by James on October 23, 2008

Rarely do we hear a person winning the World Series of Poker leaving the field to get a job. But that precisely was what Bobby Baldwin did. Though he took to the game even when he was 12, he was not very talented then. He however persisted with it. He also liked to be a pool hustler and while in school invariably had the better of his opponents of the same age.

Even while pursuing higher studies in Oklahoma State University, Baldwin had his sustained interest in poker and pool. His gambling spirit took him to Vegas where promptly he lost everything he had. He borrowed $500 and then run it up to over $180,000. But then he was a habitual gambler and lost the whole amount in about three months. He made efforts to refine his poker game and it began to pay him off substantially. Unfortunately the money earned by him in the game was lost in bets on other sports. This betting streak cost him his first marriage as well. But while nearing a desperate situation he decided to put an end to betting on sports and concentrated only on poker.

Though well recognized by a large number of high stakes gamblers, he didn’t win a major poker title until the World Series of Poker in 1977. The 7 Card Stud and 2-7 Lowball titles were both won by Baldwin that year. He also tried his hand in writing as well when a chapter on Limit Holdem in Doyle Brunson’s book Super System was penned by Baldwin.

The year 1978 was memorable for Baldwin’s finest poker achievement till then. During that year the event was changed from being a winner takes all event. Of the 42 participants, 5 could split the final prize amount and Baldwin along with Crandell Addington was there right in the thick. Finally the title along with $210,000 flowed in Baldwin’s direction. He followed it up with a bracelet in 2-7 Lowball the next year as well.

It was in 1982 Baldwin created a sensation by joining Golden Nugget. He had chosen to pursue a different career. Subsequently he rose to be the President of Golden Nugget and also held the coveted headship at the Mirage. He was retained as the CEO of Mirage when in 2000 it merged with MGM. To add to his stature when the announcement was made that Project City Center would be built in Las Vegas; he was designated as the President of the new development.

Despite an occasional game of high stakes poker, Baldwin made it clear that his first priority is his business career. In all he had cashed no less than 16 times at the World Series of Poker. This does not take into account his earning of 4 bracelets. Fittingly, he found his place in the Hall of Fame in 2003.

Having overpowered one challenge, Bobby Baldwin moved on to the next one. It is true that a host of his admirers thought it stupid on his part to leave poker after attaining such gifts in it. But what mattered was his success in the business sphere of Las Vegas in a very creditable manner. His great name and fame in the second chosen field should prove as remarkable as it was at the poker table.