Two-Time WSOP Bracelet Winner & Stud Legend Rod Pardey Sr Passes Away
On August 1, the poker world lost a legend of the game when two-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Rod Pardey Sr. passed away at the age of 75. According to a post by his son, Pardey’s passing came a month after he suffered a major stroke.
“The final week of dad’s life as he knew it took place on the Oregon coast with his three children and grandson - which was all he ever wanted to do if circumstances would allow,” Rod Pardey Jr. wrote. “My siblings and I - along with so many others - are going to be missing this lion of man for a very long time. He was larger than life. He was a rock star who hit the game-winning home run in the bottom of the ninth time and time again.”
Pardey Sr., a former professional bowler, was known as one of the best seven-card stud players in the world and enjoyed a poker career spanning five decades
“No matter where he stands in the pantheon of greats, that one fact alone should convince you he was no ordinary man,” Pardey Jr. wrote.
According to HendonMob, Pardey Sr. has $725,834 in live tournament earnings dating back to 1981. He won his first gold bracelet at the 1991 WSOP when he took down Event #7: $2,500 Limi Seven Card Stud for $133,600. Three years later, he won the 1994 WSOP Event #6: $2,500 Limit Seven Card Stud for $132,000 and his second bracelet. More recently, he nearly captured a third when he finished runner-up to Jon Andlovec in the 2015 WSOP Event #43: $1,000 Super Seniors NLH for $162,100.
Pardey Sr. also final tabled stud tournaments at the WSOP in 2009, 2006, 2003, 1998, and 1988. In addition, he had success in stud events in the 1987 America’s Cup of Poker, 1987 Grand Prix of Poker, 1985 Stairway to the Stars, and 1981 Amarillo Slim’s Super Bowl of Poker.
Fittingly, tributes and stories about Pardey’s longevity in the game poured in upon news of his passing.
“I can't count the number of laughs he and I shared at the tables, both here and in L.A.,” said Grant Strauss. “He wasn't extremely talkative in the games, but when he spoke, it was often a gem of dry-humor wisecrack, which I particularly enjoyed.”
Robert Golick shared: “Have to agree that Rod Sr. has a seat on the all-time stud table. We met in the early 90s at the 75 stud game at the Mirage, I believe Rod had already been in Vegas about 20 years playing high stakes. I was at the final table when he won his first bracelet at Binions - tough table with Mensky, Boston Alan, et al.”
Meyer Picow offered: “Rod was a great all-around poker player. In stud he excelled, but his all-around poker ability made him a winner in any game. He was a true friend of mine and I will miss him greatly.”
As you can see in the video below, Pardey Sr. never lost his spirit of competition, and while he’ll no longer be in action at the WSOP, his legend will live on.
