Puggy Pearson

Walter Clyde Puggy Pearson (29 January 1929 to 12 April 2006) was an American professional poker player, best known as the winner of the 1973 World Series of Poker Main Event, where his ace and seven of spades beat Johnny Moss. Born in Kentucky and raised in Tennessee, he left school in fifth grade and served three tours in the United States Navy, sharpening his gambling skills there. He is credited with originating the freezeout tournament idea in the early 1950s and shared it with Nick the Greek Dandolos, and with urging Benny Binion to found the World Series of Poker in 1970. Pearson played in the first series, won four bracelets in total, and in 1973 became the first player to win three events in a single year.