ReturnMyRake Poker News
Poker Pros Shave Their Heads For Thuy
Published on 21 Dec 09 by Mike Gibbs
Competition is fierce in poker, and all victories are strewn with the losses of others. But this year, a handful of poker pros proved that there is camaraderie even in this brutal game. Sixteen poker players, including Doyle Brunson, Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier, the PokerStars pro, and Tom “durrrr” Dwan, heeded Barry Greenstein’s call for support and shaved their heads in empathy to Thuy Duan’s plight.
A Battle against Cancer
It’s always a big tragedy when someone so young, so full of potential, is diagnosed with a grave disease. This very thing happened to Thuy Duan, a poker pro who recently found herself embroiled in a struggle against cancer. Twenty Three years old and a fresh graduate, Thuy just embarked on her career as a poker pro when she was diagnosed with the dreaded disease. A tumor behind her left knee was discovered. She underwent Chemotherapy, but suffered from hair loss as a side effect of the treatment. Bravely, Thuy shaved all of her hair off as opposed to waiting for it to simply fall off strand by strand.
Goodwill among Poker Pros
Barry Greenstein, a poker pro with an impressively big heart, called out to his fellow pros and asked them to have their heads shaved in empathy to Thuy Duan’s situation. Sixteen players were able to heed the call, sacrificing their locks in support of their fellow pro.
Of course, as the one who instigated the whole affair, Barry Greenstein, the Robin Hood of Poker, was first to sit on the chair and have his locks shaved off. Eli Elezra also made the sacrifice. And so did Doyle Brunson, the godfather of poker. Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier also had his hair shaved – and, knowing him and his fondness for changing his hair color, the process was probably a painful one. Tom “durrrr” Dwan also turned up and had his hair shaved. Sorrel Mizzi also turned up. All in all, it was a very inspiring display of camaraderie.
Touched by this heartwarming show of support, empathy, and camaraderie, Thuy gave a statement proclaiming her gratitude and admiration for her fellow poker players. She said, “it’s rareto see people get together and support someone else, and it shows that poker players are capable of having the biggest hearts ever.”
The pros showed up at the Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic devoid of hair but absolutely brimming with the holiday spirit. Thuy’s tumor has also been reported to have gotten smaller after the treatment. Indeed, this is one heartwarming holiday for the World of Poker.
