Canadian poker player Mark “Doc” Toulouse died in Dallas mid-tournament this week. The popular 73-year-old player was already in the money when he was rushed to hospital with a suspected heart attack. His stack was later blinded out for a 26th spot finish.
The sad and unusual news was originally broken by Todd Witteles, who initially wrote on his Poker Fraud Alert site: “I am getting a report that Mark “Doc” Toulouse, a popular player in the Texas poker scene, passed away during a tournament at Texas Card House Dallas.
“Texas Card House was holding a $300 buy-in NL Hold’em tournament, receiving 1649 entrants. According to the report I received, Mark collapsed during the tournament, was taken to a local hospital, and passed away.
“When the incident occurred, players were already in the money. Mark’s stack blinded out, and he officially finished in 26th place, for a cash of $1,475, making him one of the very rare poker players to have cashed in a tournament while deceased.”
Matt Savage also revealed: “Heard second hand from @HayleyOcho that @ToulouseMark had a set of queens when his heart attack happened, he won the pot, and @TexasCardHouse Dallas blinded him out and will give the money to the family. Bravo TCHDallas for this decision if in fact true.”
One of our @ClubWPT Stream Team Family @ToulouseMark (VandyToronto) passed away at the table last night @TexasCardHouse Dallas while in the money of an event. If you ever met or played with him you’d remember, he was a great guy that went out doing what he loved. #RIPMark pic.twitter.com/olrgF4KZeW
— Matt Savage (@SavagePoker) March 3, 2025
Marc has more than $550k of Hendon Mob results to his name, dating back over a decade and playing mostly mid-stakes NLH tournaments across the USA.
His biggest score came in 2022 when he took down the $400 buy-in, $250k GTD End of Summer Dallas event at the same Texas Card House venue he would play his last event.
His poker playing took off mainly after he had retired from his Professorship at Emmanuel College in Toronto, a former colleague also tweeting out the news of his passing:
Hearing of the death of Mark Toulouse, former principal of Emmanuel College. We worked together on United Church of Canada agreements with the United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ. He had a deep commitment to ecumenism and Christian unity.
— Dan Hayward (@danielhayward) March 3, 2025
His family also reportedly released a statement on social media:
“He died last night in dramatic fashion during a game of poker in a community that I know has meant a lot to him over the last few years. He was laughing one minute, then gone the next (presumed heart attack) and attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful.
“We are all a bit shell-shocked today but are working to make arrangements to celebrate the incredible life of our Dad. He was simply the very best. We are glad we were able to gather with Mom and Dad over Christmas, the first time the 5 of us had all been together in the same place at the same time for too long.
“We will share more information about services once details are finalized.”
VIP Grinders offer our sincere condolences to Mark’s family.
