There was an unlucky tragedy throughout a Texas poker event Sunday as a participant handed away whereas taking part in at Texas Card House in Dallas.
Mark “Doc” Toulouse, 73, handed away throughout a $300 no-limit maintain’em event that attracted 1,648 entries.
According to poker professional Todd Witteles, Toulouse collapsed on the desk. An ambulance arrived on the scene and took him to an area hospital, the place he handed away.
The incident occurred whereas gamers have been within the cash. Toulouse’s stack was blinded out and he completed twenty sixth for $1,475.
A TCH spokesperson launched a press release concerning the scenario.
“In the update I got this morning, he had a heart attack at the club. We called an ambulance and they came to get him. Not knowing his status, we were blinding his stack. We are going to reach out to his family to make sure they get his money.”
Toulouse was a historical past professor at Emmanuel College of Victoria University within the University of Toronto. He wrote and edited quite a few books, totally on the subject of faith.
He retired in 2017 and moved to Texas, the place he grew to become a fixture within the native event scene. Over the course of his poker profession, he racked up $367,948 in event earnings, together with a World Series of Poker Circuit title at Choctaw in November 2023.
Toulouse’s career-best rating got here in August 2023 when he topped a 1,793-entry subject within the $400 no-limit maintain’em “End of Summer Tournament” at Texas Card House Dallas. He netted $89,197.
In a social media submit by Toulouse’s household, they mentioned the sport was an necessary a part of his retirement life.
“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 incredibly 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.”
The same occasion occurred practically three years in the past throughout a Triton High Roller Poker Series in Northern Cyprus. Malaysian poker participant Ivan Leow suffered a coronary heart assault and handed away after taking part in a number of occasions.
In response, Triton officers canceled the rest of the collection.
Photo Courtesy of World Poker Tour