The poker community was in mourning today after learning that WSOP bracelet winner Gavin Smith had passed away unexpectedly last night at his home in Houston, Texas, aged 50.
Smith was considered to be one of the funniest and most entertaining characters on the circuit, as well as an excellent poker player – more than $6.3 Million in lifetime winnings testament to his prowess on the felt.
Born in Guelph, Ontario in the fall of 1968, Smith learned to play at the age of 26 with co-workers and would go on to ride the poker boom of the early noughties, facing off with legends of the game such as Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu and Phil Ivey.
It was in May 2005 that Smith hit the big time poker scene, lifting both the $2k and $10k Mirage Poker Showdown tournaments in Las Vegas in the same week, the latter – the WPT Championship – worth $1,128,278. His performances that year also saw him lift the WPT Player of the Year Award.
Twitter woke up to the news of Gavin Smith’s passing and was instantly filled with messages of condolences and remembrances of times gone by with the fun-loving, larger-than-life pro – the WPT themselves among the mourners.
Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Gavin Smith. WPT Champion and friend to all at the table. pic.twitter.com/brAqdaMay2
— World Poker Tour (@WPT) January 15, 2019
My favorite Gavin Smith photo from @MattStoutPoker @TheCSOP event @PH_POKER. @AntZinno had lost a prop bet.
Rest in peace Gavin. pic.twitter.com/X6aDpqXLcI
— Allen Kessler (@AllenKessler) January 15, 2019
The fans were also out in force on YouTube, the legendary clip of a less-than-sober Smith playing Phil Ivey heads up bearing the following lovely message from Bill Adams.
“Rest in Peace. In honour of the passing of Gavin Smith, whom I had the honor of meeting a few times up at the WPT event at Fallsview, a shot of Canadian whiskey will be poured at Midnight on Wednesday night at our local game, across the river. Granted the man drank, but still could play poker like a boss! And he could be very, very funny!”
In-between the bouts of comedy and occasionally raucous behaviour, Smith’s poker career continued apace. He finally landed a WSOP gold bracelet in 2010 after many near-misses, securing the $2,500 Limit/NLH title and a $268,238 payday to go with it.
With many other 6-figure cashes on his resume, Gavin Smith was a feared player, but a much-loved member of the poker community.
My friendship with Gavin Smith overlapped my years as a poker photographer.
Women always loved having their photos taken with him, and I have literally dozens of photos like this in my archive. (Thanks to @RadioAmanda for posting this one.) pic.twitter.com/IKdabCiiQo
— BJ Nemeth (@BJNemeth) January 15, 2019
A family man, Smith was father to two young boys – Kingston and Keegan – of whom he had sole custody. A GoFUndMe page has already reached a quarter of its $100k target to help provide for the children after Gavin’s unexpected passing.
Although his tournament poker had somewhat tailed off in recent years, he was always his usual, jovial self at the tables – here taking part in Poker Night in America…
…who were quick to share their memories of Gavin Smith on Twitter after hearing the sad news today.
Link to Gavin Smith Photo Gallery:https://t.co/PPG8mYQSum pic.twitter.com/uu1DmlDDxh
— PNIA (@PokerNightTV) January 15, 2019
The game of poker has always needed characters such as Gavin Smith. The type of player who sees the fun side of things, even when they might not feel like being funny at times. Gavin Smith will be sorely missed by all who knew him or knew of him. RIP.
Get the best Partypoker deal!
Ready to hop into some poker action yourself? Get the best Partypoker deal and claim your free $22 Tickets, up to 50% rakeback and take part in our exclusive promotions, including:
Terms and conditions apply. New customer offer and 18+ only. Should you require help regarding your gambling pattern, please visit www.begambleaware.org.
