It seems inconceivable as the poker legend has been a fixture of the tournament series since it began in 1970 but that’s what the Texas Dolly is saying in a recent Tweet.
Brunson said that he was finally giving in to Father Time and passing on the tournament play at the WSOP. He said it simply takes too many hours to compete in the events.
It’s not the first time Brunson has made noise about skipping the WSOP and last year he told PokerListings the 2012 edition might be his last.
As expected the 70-year-old’s decision has sent the poker world into a tizzy with numerous players showing their support for the player that perhaps best represents poker’s backroom beginnings.
Others have even gone so far as to call Brunson’s Tweet a bluff and that he simply won’t be able to stay away from the action.
Here’s the early reaction from the Twittersphere:
Afraid I am finally gonna give in to Father Time and pass on tournament play at WSOP. #toomanyhours
— Doyle Brunson (@TexDolly) May 15, 2013@texdolly The series will miss you for sure.Hard to fill the void of the greatest ever. Hope we still get to see you at other tourneys on tv
— Rusty Chaney (@ChopChop313) May 15, 2013@afeldmanespn @texdolly I won't be there either and somehow your absence hurts more.
— James Slusher (@jaslusher) May 15, 2013Damn. End of an era. RT @texdolly Afraid I am finally gonna give in to Father Time and pass on tournament play at WSOP. #toomanyhours
— Matthew Miller (@NotSoCivilEngr) May 15, 2013@texdolly though someone will probably come along and offer you a last longer that u wont be able to pass up ;)
— Tom W (@Tommy2Tomatos) May 15, 2013Two weeks till the #WSOP kicks off. Will surely be lacking given the absence of @texdolly
— Sam Norris (@SamNorris_) May 15, 2013will be killin' cash games RT @texdolly Afraid I am finally gonna give in to Father Time and pass on tournament play @wsop. #toomanyhours
— Susie G. (@Ziggy_Susan) May 15, 2013@texdolly thank you for all you've given to the game. Poker is better today because of you
— David Tuchman (@TuckonSports) May 15, 2013RT @texdolly: I am finally gonna give in to Father Time and pass on tournament play at WSOP. #toomanyhours<~Really sorry to hear that Sir!
— Matt Savage (@SavagePoker) May 15, 2013I call.....RT @texdolly: Afraid I am finally gonna give in to Father Time and pass on tournament play at WSOP. #toomanyhours
— Jack Effel (@WSOPTD) May 15, 2013congratulations on the tournament retirment @texdolly! maybe they can get you to play a seniors event in a few years? #GameWellPlayed
— Pokerati (@Pokerati) May 15, 2013Visit www.pokerlistings.com