Canadian poker champion Gavin Smith passed away in his sleep Monday night in his Houston home. He was 50 years old.
Smith learned the game from his father, and started playing poker professionally at the age of 26 after a brief stint as a dealer that ran his own club. The Guelph-native got his first taste of success in the satellites, before breaking out at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut.
His first major score came in 2005, when he won a $2,000 preliminary event at the Mirage Poker Showdown for $155,880. He followed up that performance a week later by winning the WPT main event for $1,153,778. With two more final-table appearances that season, he was named the WPT Player of the Year.
Smith continued to thrive on the circuit during the poker boom, putting up consistent results and six-figure cashes. In 2010, after numerous close calls, he finally won his World Series of Poker bracelet, taking down the $2,500 mixed hold’em event for $268,238.
Gavin Smith was in many ways a pioneer in poker, certainly in poker media, which may seem like an overstatement but is true. Gavin was one of the first big-name professional poker players to truly embrace the new forms of media available to promote the game. Smith started dealing poker in 1996 and two years later started a poker club of his own. Smith is among today’s elite players and continues to play in tournaments, including the WSOP where.
The man who went by the nickname “birdguts” finished his poker career with more than $5.5 million in live tournament earnings. His last cash came in July of 2018, when he finished 823rd in a $365 no-limit hold’em event at the WSOP.
Smith, who was a co-host of Card Player’s radio web show The Circuit before Poker Road Radio, was open about his battles with alcoholism in the past.
“I think I have the illusion of being a very happy person, but on the inside, I’ve got my own personal struggles,” Smith said in 2010.
Smith appeared on the cover of Card Player magazine in late 2005, and his Las Vegas home was featured on an episode of High Stakes Living.
Early Tuesday morning, the poker world reacted to the loss.
And We’re off. We lost one of our best friends and one of pokers greats tonight. If u knew him u will know the drink. RIP my friend. pic.twitter.com/KDYG4wAAF6
Gavin Smith Poker Charity
— Todd Brunson (@ToddBrunson) January 15, 2019
Gavin Smith was one of the more authentic human beings I’d ever met.
Rest In Peace my friend… pic.twitter.com/8sUlQhSxvS
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) January 15, 2019
please share. Gavin loved life, loved his kids and really loved poker. he leaves behind 2 boys that he had full custody of. Lets show his kids just how great the poker community can be! https://t.co/xXpIS2HWx6 via @gofundme
— Joshua Arieh (@golferjosh) January 15, 2019
Gavin Smith Poker Dead
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
Very sad news to learn that Gavin Smith has passed unexpectedly. One of the first great poker characters I got to know personally. A fun guy, great to be around him. If you're so inclined, drink a greyhound in his honor. Cheers, my friend.
— Greg Raymer (@FossilMan) January 15, 2019
Just heard heartbreaking news about Gavin Smith passing —one of the most genuine + hilarious guys in all of poker. I’ll miss you old friend.
— Sorel Mizzi (@sorelmizzi) January 15, 2019
Gavin Smith Poker Broke
Just got word that my old friend Gavin Smith has passed away. “The Caveman” was troubled, but kind & generous. I’m glad I was reunited with him last year, where he was able to do what he loved – wreck one of my shows. My thoughts are with his children.
I’ll miss you, ole G.
Gavin Smith Poker Death
— Joe Stapleton (@Stapes) January 15, 2019