The New Yr is just not solely a chance for poker gamers to look forward, maybe setting new resolutions and targets, but in addition an opportunity to look again on the 12 months passed by.
In 2025, that entails remembering these poker gamers, business members, and personalities who sadly handed on.
Right here’s a have a look at a few of these we misplaced over the previous 12 months.
Poker Corridor of Famer and Match Director Jack McClelland
The poker group acquired some unhappy information in August when it discovered that event director and beloved member of the poker group, Jack McClelland, had handed away.
Inducted into the Poker Corridor of Fame in 2014, alongside Daniel Negreanu, McClelland earned his induction as a contributor, not a participant, as a result of he meant a lot to the expansion of the sport.
McClelland left behind a formidable legacy in poker, and the sport is in a greater place immediately due to the efforts and contributions of this iconic former event director. He served because the Bellagio event director from 2002 till his retirement in 2013, in addition to engaged on the World Poker Tour within the early 2000s at a time when televised poker was booming.
In a 2018 interview, McClelland instructed PokerNews that, following his retirement, he underwent a coronary heart transplant. He mentioned he had spent the intervening interval recovering, enjoying, and having fun with retirement.
McClelland’s contributions to poker have been acknowledged in 2014 when he was inducted into the Poker Corridor of Fame
“Being inducted into the Class of 2014 Poker Corridor of Fame is a really thrilling prospect, and I’m positive it is going to be a really humbling expertise,” McClelland mentioned on the time. “I thank everybody concerned on this course of and to the WSOP, WPT and all the nice individuals I’ve met and the great individuals I’ve labored with all through the years.
“Thanks for bestowing this honor upon me. I’m very grateful.”
PokerNews Remembers Jack McClelland right here.
‘Miami’ John Cernuto Passes Away at 81
Again in February, combined sport poker event legend John Anthony Cernuto, aka “Miami John,” handed away from colon most cancers. The 81-year-old New Jersey-born poker participant had been in hospice care at his Las Vegas residence. He leaves behind two grownup kids and plenty of associates and adoring followers inside the poker group.
Cernuto had 597 dwell event cashes, tops among the many almost 700,000 gamers tracked on The Hendon Mob. Roland Israelashvili is in second place with 574 cashes. Ari Engel, who simply gained a LA Poker Basic occasion, is in third place at 565 cashes.
“Miami John,” born January 10, 1944 in Jersey Metropolis, New Jersey, racked up over $6.4 million in dwell event earnings. He gained three World Collection of Poker (WSOP) bracelets and two World Collection of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) rings, and had over $2 million in WSOP cashes. The checklist of accomplishments additionally contains 85 recognized event wins.
Cernuto, a former air site visitors controller who took up poker within the early Nineteen Eighties after being fired by President Ronald Reagan, made an influence on the sport in additional methods than simply his play. He impressed many others to take up the sport and served as a mentor for gamers comparable to actor James Woods, a Los Angeles combined sport participant and a WSOP common.
In June, in the course of the 2025 WSOP, family and friends gathered for a celebration of life, which PokerNews highlighted right here.
Famed WSOP Photographer Ulvis Alberts
Ulvis Alberts, the primary official photographer of the World Collection of Poker (WSOP) who took among the most iconic photographs from the late Seventies and early Nineteen Eighties – together with those who cling on the partitions contained in the Horseshoe Lodge & On line casino – handed away in November on the age of 83.
The information was first shared on social media:
“Right this moment, on November 18, a lovely life has come to an finish. Photographer Ulvis Alberts has set off on a distant journey via the galaxies of the world. We prolong our condolences to all who admired the artist’s expertise and to everybody for whom Ulvis was necessary. Details about the farewell ceremony will comply with.”
Alberts was the primary photographer granted limitless entry to a beforehand roped-off world at Binion’s Horseshoe.
Born in Latvia, Alberts immigrated to america in 1949. He attended the College of Washington in Seattle and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in radio and tv. Within the late Sixties, he snapped photographs of luminaries comparable to Bob Dylan, Jerry Garcia, and Jimi Hendrix, simply to call a number of.
“I received invited primarily by Jack Binion in 1977,” Alberts instructed PokerNews again in 2019. “I used to be dwelling in L.A. so I may drive my automotive to Las Vegas.”
“It did not seem to be an enormous deal. It type of allowed me on the opposite facet of the tape. It gave me an opportunity to enter a world I wasn’t aware of. I am not a poker participant, by the way in which. It was an opportunity to see these individuals, these characters and cowboys, and in these days, I received quite a lot of good images simply by the truth that individuals have been smoking cigars and cigarettes. The smoke enhanced among the conditions at Binion’s. It was a brand new world.”
1997 WSOP Runner-Up John Strzemp
John Strzemp, runner-up to Stu Ungar within the 1997 World Collection of Poker (WSOP) Essential Occasion, handed away in April at 73.
The poker participant was well-known inside the Las Vegas gaming group. He served as an govt for a number of main casinos on the Strip for 3 a long time. Born in Chicago on November 3, 1951, Strzemp former president at Treasure Island, beforehand an MGM Resorts Worldwide on line casino resort on the Las Vegas Strip.
In 2002, he took over as chief monetary officer and govt vice chairman of Wynn Resorts, working alongside former CEO Steve Wynn, who constructed Wynn Las Vegas. Strzemp then grew to become govt vice chairman and chief administrative officer of Wynn Resorts in 2008.
Strzemp cashed in 23 WSOP occasions from 1997 to 2019. He had almost $1.2 million in general dwell event cashes, in accordance with The Hendon Mob. However the second he is most recognized for as a poker professional got here in 1997 when he fell only one spot shy of turning into a world champion due to an premature dangerous beat.
The WSOP Essential Occasion last desk that 12 months was performed exterior on Fremont Avenue, proper in entrance of Binion’s, the unique residence to the WSOP. Strzemp was heads-up with Ungar, who was making an attempt to win his third world championship and first since 1981.
Australian Poker Legend Graeme “Kiwi” Putt
The poker world acquired unhappy information in February when phrase unfold that Graeme “Kiwi” Putt handed away. Although he hailed from New Zealand, Putt was well-known all through the Asia-Pacific area, significantly in Australia.
“Unhappy to listen to we misplaced Graeme Putt immediately, one of many nicest previous guard poker gamers in Australia and a deserved Corridor of Famer,” wrote Australian poker professional Oliver Gill. “Had one of the best tales about enjoying within the cane fields within the 70s with farmers at excessive stakes. At all times loved having him on the desk.”
Putt had $866,744 in lifetime event earnings relationship again to 1994, in accordance with The Hendon Mob, which locations him tenth on New Zealand’s all-time cash checklist. His career-high rating of $49,455 got here when he positioned fifth within the 2004 Gaming Membership World Poker Championship €6,000 Grand Last in Dublin, Eire. Putt’s final money got here in Could 2024 when he completed fourth within the APT Gold Coast Championships AUD$350 H.E.R.O.S. event.
In 2013, Putt got here near successful a World Collection of Poker (WSOP) gold bracelet when he positioned sixth within the WSOP APAC Occasion #1: AUD$1,100 NLH Accumulator, good for AUD$41,610, and in addition third in Occasion #3: AUD$2,200 Blended 8-Sport for AUD$22,427.
Often known as “essentially the most seasoned highway gambler in Australia,” Putt was inducted into the Australian Poker Corridor of Fame in 2014.
2001 WSOP Finalist Stan Schrier
Stan Schrier, who turned an $80 satellite tv for pc right into a third-place end at arguably the hardest last desk in World Collection of Poker (WSOP) Essential Occasion historical past, handed away on April 1, 2025, on the age of 89.
Schrier famously completed in third place behind Carlos Mortensen and Dewey Tomko within the 2001 WSOP Essential Occasion, a last desk that additionally included Phil Gordon, Phil Hellmuth, and Mike Matusow, to not point out Daniel Negreanu, who almost made it by ending in eleventh place.
“I used to be 63 and the grandpa on the desk,” Schrier mentioned in a 2019 interview. “And I by no means instructed them I had by no means performed a no-limit event earlier than.”
Previous to that last desk, Hellmuth was famously boasting about being one of the best no-limit participant within the area, to which Schrier had an iconic quip – “I’ve been in enterprise all my life, now that’s strain. This isn’t strain, that is pleasure.”
That 12 months, poker’s most prestigious event attracted 613 of one of the best gamers to Binion’s Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas. A number of years prior, Schrier, who was then in his late 60s, bought his companies in Omaha and relocated to Vegas to play poker, however that 12 months marked the primary time he’d ever performed within the WSOP.
His obituary learn: “A loyal household man, visionary businessman, and fierce competitor … His life was one in all exhausting work, dedication, and an unwavering dedication to his family members. Born on July 5, 1935, Stan attended the College of Nebraska-Lincoln, the place he earned a enterprise diploma. Throughout his time in school, he met the love of his life, Felicia, and collectively they constructed a wedding that lasted 60 years, crammed with love, laughter, and an unbreakable bond.”
“Stan’s legacy is one in all perseverance, success, and love for his household. His influence on those that knew him won’t ever be forgotten,” his obituary concluded.
CSOP Favourite Eric “Goldy” Goldstein
The poker world acquired unhappy information in early July in the course of the 2025 WSOP when phrase unfold that Eric “Goldy” Goldstein, born March 25, 1973, handed away unexpectedly from a presumed coronary heart assault on the age of 52.
Goldy, as he was affectionately recognized to his associates, made headlines in the course of the 2022 WSOP when he gained a poker event in his sleep to win his method into that 12 months’s WSOP Essential Occasion.
As reported by PokerNews, Goldy fell asleep and woke as much as uncover he’d gained an $80 auto all-in satellite tv for pc on WSOP.com. Goldstein instructed PokerNews he forgot he was registered for the satellite tv for pc, which solely awarded one seat into poker’s most prestigious annual event. Your complete satellite tv for pc took roughly 4 fingers because the construction known as for everybody to be routinely all in each hand till it concluded.
Goldy, who labored as a compliance specialist within the marijuana business, was an everyday at Jason Sommerville’s Run It Up Reno in addition to at almost each Charity Collection of Poker (CSOP) occasion in Las Vegas.
“I’ve quite a lot of love for all the regulars who make the Charity Collection of Poker what it’s, however Eric Goldstein was actually a particular piece of our group,” CSOP founder Matt Stout instructed PokerNews.
Jap Poker Open’s Jordan Fishman
The poker world acquired unhappy information in October upon studying that Jordan Fishman, a preferred poker participant on the East Coast, handed away two days after struggling an surprising cardiac occasion.
Fishman was a retired professor who hailed from Southborough, Massachusetts. He had $184,433 in lifetime event earnings in accordance with The Hendon Mob. That included a career-high $45,000 from earlier this 12 months when he gained the Jap Poker Open $1,650 Excessive Curler in Milford.
Fishman was cheered on by his girlfriend, Linda Swears, whom he met on the Jap Poker Tour. They’d recognized one another for 15 years earlier than turning into a pair two years in the past. It’s round that point that each of their poker video games began to enhance dramatically.
“She had a extra conservative model, and I used to be extra aggressive. We meshed our video games collectively,” Fishman mentioned on the time. “With out her, it wouldn’t be as a lot enjoyable. That is one of the best poker I’ve ever performed. I’m able to deal with something. That is by far my greatest poker accomplishment.”
Swears shared with PokerNews: “He was my deepest love and my residence. It’s exhausting to think about life with out him in it, however we had two and a half wonderful years collectively. I might be without end grateful for the love we had. I by no means doubted his love for me for a second after our first date.”
Novelist Jane Hitchcock
Jane Hitchcock (born November 24, 1946), an achieved New York Occasions-bestselling thriller novelist and avid poker participant, has handed away on the age of 78. The reason for dying is presently unknown.
A well known participant at East Coast stops comparable to Maryland Dwell! and MGM Nationwide Harbor, Hitchcock had $289,471 in lifetime event earnings relationship again to 2013, in accordance with the Hendon Mob. That included a career-high $57,645 for ending second within the 2022 Venetian DeepStack Championship Collection Occasion #103: $800 NLH Monster Stack.
The information was shared with the poker world by way of a social media put up from 2021 WSOP Girls Occasion champion Lara Eisenberg:
Keith Corridor Passes Away
The poker group acquired unhappy information in April when well-known Texas poker participant Ruth Corridor (also referred to as “Ruthless”), a founding member of the Ladies’s Poker Affiliation (WPA) and girls poker advocate, shared that her husband, James “Keith” Corridor had handed away after an almost 18-month battle with most cancers.
“James ‘Keith’ Corridor has gone to be along with his Dad,” Ruth Corridor shared on social media. “Our thanks exit to #TeamHall Household & Buddies, MSU Brothers, and Childhood Buddies on your help and love throughout his terrible most cancers journey – near 18 months. We have been blessed to be given this time to indicate him how a lot he’s actually liked. I instructed him it’s okay to go that I’d come be a part of him, he mentioned: “It’s far.” Till we meet once more, Honey. Could God Bless Candy Child James. I’ll preserve loving him each single day and he’ll all the time be in my damaged coronary heart.”
Tons of of individuals expressed their condolences on the social media put up, together with many from the poker group.
“Could God grant you and your loved ones peace and luxury throughout this time,” wrote two-time WSOP Circuit ring winner Kat Bowen.
RGPS Champ Mark Martin
Mark Martin, an everyday in Midwest poker circles, handed away again in March on the age of 70.
As famous in his obituary, Martin “was an avid event poker participant, successful quite a few tournaments, together with two WSOP Circuit occasions.”
Certainly, Martin had amassed $283,025 in lifetime event earnings, in accordance with The Hendon Mob. That included a career-high $46,957 for ending runner-up within the 2024 WSOP Circuit Choctaw Occasion #3: $500 The Gargantuan. Whereas he fell one spot shy of successful that event, he does have two gold rings to his credit score.
The primary got here in 2020 when he gained the WSOP Circuit Exhausting Rock Tulsa Occasion #4: $400 NLH for $12,995, after which two years later he gained the WSOP Circuit Choctaw Durant Seniors Occasion #2: $250 NLH for $17,492.
Nonetheless, Martin’s most high-profile win was again in 2014 when he topped a area of 262 runners to win the RunGood Poker Collection (RGPS) Downstream On line casino for $36,218.
Born October 29, 1954, in Arkansas Metropolis, Kansas, Martin graduated with an affiliate diploma from Cowley County Group Faculty in 1974, and that very same 12 months married his spouse, Debra R. Weaver.
In accordance with his obituary, “The couple made their first residence in Girard earlier than shifting to Burden, the place they owned and operated the Arctic Locker for almost 20 years. Mark then started ranching close to Dexter the place he was raised. They ran a hog consignment farm for almost 15 years in addition to elevating cattle. In 2017 the couple constructed their dream residence, and Mark fulfilled a lifelong dream of constructing his personal lake in his yard. He was a member of Burden United Methodist Church. He loved fishing and hen searching, particularly quail.”
Nebraska’s Jeff Banghart
Jeff Banghart, a poker participant from Nebraska well-known in Midwestern poker circles, handed away in March after a two-year battle with mind most cancers. He was 63.
“Jeff died on Thursday,” his pal Tim Carman shared. “I’m unhappy past phrases – and my very own comprehension. Unhappy for his kids, his spouse, and his many, many associates who misplaced this extremely vivid star.”
Banghart, born January 29, 1962, had $1,164,168 in lifetime event earnings in accordance with The Hendon Mob. That included a career-best $237,865 for ending forty first within the 2007 World Collection of Poker (WSOP) Essential Occasion. Three years later, he made one other deep run, ending seventy fifth within the 2010 WSOP Essential Occasion for $94,942.
He had two different six-figure scores in his caree,r together with $205,755 for ending runner-up within the 2017 WSOP Circuit Horseshoe Hammond Essential Occasion and a 12 months later third within the 2018 WinStar River Poker Collection $2,500 Essential Occasion for $206,570.
In 2009, he gained his first and solely WSOP Circuit gold ring when he topped a area of 334 entries to win the Horseshoe Council Bluffs Occasion #1: $345 No-Restrict Maintain’em for $30,127. Banghart’s last money got here on the 2023 WSOP when he positioned 93rd out of 8,180 runners within the $1,000 Seniors Championship for $6,898.
Actor Kevyn Main Howard
On February 14, Kevyn Main Howard (January 27, 1956 – February 14, 2025) handed away in Las Vegas after being hospitalized for a number of weeks with a respiratory sickness.
“It’s with a heavy coronary heart that I share the passing of my expensive pal and supporter of a few years of Ante for Autism, Kevyn Main Howard,” poker participant Karina Jett, pictured above with Howard, shared on social media. “A significant contributor to the trigger and a well known poker participant, Kevyn was finest remembered for his iconic function in Full Metallic Jacket. My deepest condolences to his spouse, Tiffanie, his household, and all his associates throughout this tough time.”
As Jett alluded to, Howard was maybe finest recognized for his function as “Rafterman” within the 1987 movie Full Metallic Jacket by Stanley Kubrick. He additionally appeared in films comparable to Demise Want II and Sudden Impression, in addition to the TV present Miami Vice. Howard was additionally an achieved photographer.
Within the poker world, Howard was a fixture at Ante 4 Autism at South Level Lodge and On line casino in Las Vegas. Thus far, Ante 4 Autism has raised over $1.4 million. Howard was a longtime supporter of the charity poker occasion and was well-known amongst contributors.
“We’ll miss laughing, enjoying poker, and swapping tales with you,” wrote Billy Hayes, the inspiration for the 1978 movie Midnight Categorical.
MSPT Champ Kevin Oswald
Michigan’s Kevin Oswald handed away on January 18 on the age of 51.
Oswald solely had one money listed on his profile on The Hendon Mob, nevertheless it was an enormous one for $234,422. That got here again in Could 2024 when he topped an enormous area of two,717 entries to win the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) Firekeepers $1,110 Essential Occasion. The Michigan native was part of a four-way deal that resulted in him successful the MSPT title.
“This feels superior,” Oswald instructed the MSPT after his victory, “I’ve been coming right here for the final three years each Could, so that is simply a tremendous feeling to have the ability to win it.”
It might have been the primary documented event money for the heavy tools operator, however he had performed poker for many years.
“I work a full-time job however have gotten along with a bunch of individuals each Friday for the final 20 years, a few of us for the final 25 years,” Oswald elaborated.
In accordance with his obituary, Oswald was predeceased by: his mother and father, Richard Oswald and Beatrice Oswald (Tenbusch). He’s survived by: his brothers, Larry Oswald (Vicki) and Gene Oswald; his nephew Eric Oswald (Ashley); and his nieces, Lacey Shea (Del) and Kayla Kinnee (Dan).
Midwest Poker Participant Chris Roth
On January 2, Midwest poker participant Chris Roth handed away after a battle with most cancers. He was 42.
Born Could 21, 1982, Roth graduated from the College of Wisconsin-Madison and was well-known inside the Wisconsin poker group, particularly as an Omaha hi-lo participant. He had amassed $402,340 in lifetime event earnings relationship again to 2006 in accordance with The Hendon Mob, which put him thirty fourth on the Wisconsin all-time cash checklist on the time of his passing.
His career-high rating of $78,569 got here when he completed sixth within the 2017 World Collection of Poker (WSOP) Occasion #51: $10,000 Pot-Restrict Omaha Hello-Lo. Final summer season, he as soon as once more completed sixth in a WSOP event, this time in Occasion #97: $3,000 Pot-Restrict Omaha for $62,457. In 2019, Roth gained the Venetian DeepStack Championship Poker Collection Occasion #38: $800 Pot-Restrict Omaha 8 or Higher for $30,077.
In accordance with his obituary:
Chris liked enjoying basketball, bringing the identical depth and aptitude to the courtroom as he did to every part else in life. He performed quick and with a mode that was undeniably his personal, showcasing his persona and fearless spirit in each sport. Whereas on the gymnasium, Chris loved the burden room however by no means wasted time with a “leg day,” prioritizing his glamour muscle mass as an alternative—a sensible and rational alternative, he would argue.
Poker was one in all Chris’s best passions and a defining a part of his life. Whether or not it was on-line within the early days of web poker, on Orchard Avenue in Madison, on the Potawatomi poker site in Milwaukee, or in World Collection of Poker tournaments across the nation, Chris’s daring and fearless persona shone on the desk. Over time, the sport itself grew to become secondary to the relationships he constructed, as poker served as the inspiration for a lot of of his most significant and lasting friendships.
Mark “Doc” Toulouse
On Sunday, March 2, tragedy struck at Texas Card Home (TCH) Dallas after poker participant Mark “Doc” Toulouse, 73, handed away throughout TCH’s $300 NLH event, which attracted 1,648 runners.
“In accordance with the report I acquired, Mark collapsed in the course of the event, was taken to an area hospital, and handed away,” Todd Witteles of PokerFraudAlert.com reported. “When the incident occurred, gamers have been already within the cash. Mark’s stack blinded out, and he formally completed in twenty sixth place, for a money of $1,475.”
PokerNews reached out to TCH, and a spokesperson shared: “Within the replace I received this morning, he had a coronary heart assault on the membership. We known as an ambulance and so they got here to get him, not realizing his standing, we have been blinding his stack. We’re going to attain out to his household to verify they get his cash.”
Toulouse was well-known in Texas poker circles. He was an Emmanuel Faculty professor from Toronto earlier than retiring in 2017, which is when he began to hit the poker scene exhausting.
Toulouse’s household wrote on social media:
“He died final evening in dramatic trend throughout a sport of poker in a group that I do know has meant loads to him over the previous couple of years. He was laughing one minute, then gone the following (presumed coronary heart assault) and makes an attempt at resuscitation have been unsuccessful. We’re all a bit shell shocked immediately, however are working to make preparations to rejoice the unimaginable lifetime of our Dad. He was merely the easiest. We’re glad we have been capable of collect with Mother and Dad over Christmas, the primary time the 5 of us had all been collectively in the identical place on the similar time for too lengthy. We are going to share extra details about companies as soon as particulars are finalized.”
David “AtomBomb” Hendrix
Again in October, Mississippi poker participant David Hendrix (November 12, 1990 – October 8, 2025), affectionately nicknamed “Atom Bomb,” handed away on the age of 34.
Hendrix suffered from Werdnig-Hoffman illness (also referred to as spinal muscular atrophy sort 1). In accordance with NCBI, Werdnig-Hoffman illness is essentially the most extreme type of spinal muscular atrophy, with signs that embrace extreme motor weak point, poor muscle tone, and lack of motor growth.
The prognosis for Werdnig-Hoffman illness may be very poor. The illness presents earlier than six months of age, and it’s a progressive muscular dysfunction that usually leads to early dying. Most sufferers die prematurely, both in infancy or early childhood, usually by two years of life.
“From what the medical doctors inform me I’m the oldest dwelling individual in America with my precise analysis,” Hendrix instructed PokerNews in a 2021 interview after he topped a 264-entry area to win the GulfCoastPoker.Web Pearl River Poker Open Occasion #4: $200 No-Restrict Maintain’em $20K GTD
His obituary learn:
David Hendrix, 34, handed away on October 8, 2025, at North Mississippi Medical Middle. He was born on November 12, 1990, in Amory, Mississippi, to Mark Hendrix and Marie Dodd.
David was a loyal member of Bethel Apostolic Church. He was recognized for his outgoing persona and his skill to make associates wherever he went — a real social butterfly who by no means met a stranger. He had a ardour for fishing, gaming on his pc and Xbox, and something involving electronics, which he dealt with with spectacular ability. David liked spending time along with his household, associates, and most significantly, with Jesus. He shared a really particular bond along with his cousins Kelly, Chelsey, Jessica, and Cody.
He additionally loved enjoying poker and was well-known amongst his associates by his nickname, The Atom Bomb. Although he couldn’t maintain his playing cards, his outstanding reminiscence and fast considering allowed him to win many tournaments with slightly assist from those that liked him. His intelligence, humor, and vivid spirit might be deeply missed by everybody who knew him. David’s life was a mirrored image of pleasure, perseverance, and religion — qualities that can proceed to encourage these he leaves behind.
Chad Holloway
PR & Media Supervisor
