Dr. Jerry Buss, the popular owner of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and a long-time participant in high-stakes poker games and tournaments, including appearances on several popular poker shows, passed away early Monday after a lengthy battle with cancer. Buss was 80.
Buss was a popular participant in poker games and tourneys in the California and Vegas scenes, once even opting to skip an NBA finals game in which the Lakers played in favor of playing in a WSOP event at the Rio. Buss preferred the lower buy-in tourneys over the premier events and played a handful of events over a lengthy 20-year WSOP career, cashing four times and reaching one final table in 1991.
The WSOP issued a statement upon learning of Buss’s passing: “Jerry epitomizes what makes the game of poker so great. Everyone is on equal footing when you enter a poker tournament. And Jerry Buss acted and carried himself as a dignified gentlemen throughout. There is no doubt he was competitive and liked to win, but to anyone who had the pleasure of interacting with him at the World Series of Poker, you left better for the experience and rooting for him and his Lakers.”
Buss was as likely to be playing in private home games as he was in tournaments, being an occasional participant in the celeb- and pro-laden affairs hosted by Hustler founder Larry Flynt. Buss wasn’t afraid to play poker before the cameras, either, appearing on both “Poker After Dark” and “High Stakes Poker,” and participated in the 2006 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship.
Buss was widely respected by other players, who invariably found him a warm and friendly guy who managed to maintain his modesty and appreciation of life even after fortunate real-estate investments made him wealthy beyond his wildest dreams.
Several prominent players were quick to note their sadness on Twitter over Buss’s passing. Wrote Erik Seidel: “Sad news about Jerry Buss. He was a true friend to many poker players. Big hearted guy.”
Melissa Hayden offered this: “RIP DR. Jerry Buss 1 of the nicest men I’ve ever met. So sad. Poker won’t b the same w/o him.”
Wrote Joe Tall: “RIP Jerry. You were a gentleman at the Poker table.”
The WSOP’s Nolan Dalla also offered his own brief remembrance: “Dr. Jerry Buss — thanks for the memories. We at the WSOP were honored to have you with us. You will be missed.”
Funeral and memorial service arrangements are pending. The family requests that donations be made to the Lakers Youth Foundation or a charity of the donor’s choice in lieu of flowers.
