Stan Schrier, who turned an $80 satellite tv for pc right into a third-place end at arguably the hardest closing desk in World Collection of Poker (WSOP) Foremost Occasion historical past, handed away on April 1, 2025, on the age of 89.
Schrier famously completed in third place behind Carlos Mortensen and Dewey Tomko within the 2001 WSOP Foremost Occasion, a closing desk that additionally included Phil Gordon, Phil Hellmuth, and Mike Matusow, to not point out Daniel Negreanu, who practically made it by ending in eleventh place.
“I used to be 63 and the grandpa on the desk,” Schrier stated in a 2019 interview. “And I by no means informed them I had by no means performed a no-limit match earlier than.”
Previous to that closing desk, Hellmuth was famously boasting about being the perfect no-limit participant within the subject, to which Schrier had an iconic quip – “I’ve been in enterprise all my life, now that’s stress. This isn’t stress, that is pleasure.”
That yr, poker’s most prestigious match attracted 613 of the perfect gamers to Binion’s Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas. Just a few years prior, Schrier, who was then in his late 60s, offered his companies in Omaha and relocated to Vegas to play poker, however that yr marked the primary time he’d ever performed within the WSOP.
“I knew Daniel Negreanu actual effectively,” Schrier informed PokerNews in a 2015 interview. “I believe he took a nasty beat. I bear in mind after we have been all the way down to 11, throughout hand-for-hand, Daniel was on the different desk, so I am unable to bear in mind what he went out with. It was fairly the expertise.”
The 2001 WSOP Foremost Occasion Closing Desk
“All the blokes have been actual good,” Schrier displays. “I believe the best reminiscence was after we watched Hellmuth get busted out. He cried like a child and ran to his dad sitting again there. I imply, he is actually a pleasant man while you get him away from poker, however he cannot take it when he loses. However he is actually a pleasant man, I at all times child him about it.”
“I knew all these guys,” Schrier continued. “Mike [Matusow] I had performed with. The man who wrote the ebook, Phil Gordon, after which a man about my age, or most likely just a little youthful, from Miami, he received second, Dewey Tomko. Actual good man.”
As for the person who gained all of it, Schrier stored it easy: “The younger man who gained it simply received playing cards all day and performed actual effectively.”
Tales of Phil Ivey, a Hellmuth Struggle & Extra
In a PokerNews interview with Johnny “Quads” Wenzel again in 2019, Schrier shared some tales, together with how he as soon as received a nickname courtesy of Phil Ivey.
“I used to be taking part in in Reno as soon as and put in a giant guess towards Phil Ivey,” stated Schrier. “He considered it for a very long time after which lastly folded, saying: ‘You’re the one particular person on the desk I gained’t name, Tighty Whitey.’ That turned my nickname for some time.”
Schrier additionally recalled a narrative from the 2001 WSOP Foremost Occasion closing desk between Hellmuth and Gordon, who just lately granted PokerNews his first poker-related interview in 12 years.
“There have been 5 actually good gamers left – and me.”
“Gordon bluffed Phil and confirmed it and informed him: ‘You’re not the one one right here who is aware of how you can play poker.’ There have been some phrases, and the match director needed to step in.”
Schrier additionally remembered Hellmuth saying “How will you play crap like that?” to Matusow after Matusow bluffed with 7-2 and misplaced lots of chips to Mortensen.
“There have been 5 actually good gamers left – and me,” Schrier mirrored. “And it was an honor to be there. It wasn’t concerning the cash with me; in spite of everything, this was the ultimate desk on the World Collection of Poker! However after some time, the cash began to look fairly good too, and I actually needed to win.”
Remembered as a Household Man & True Gentleman
His obituary learn: “A faithful household man, visionary businessman, and fierce competitor … His life was certainly one of laborious work, dedication, and an unwavering dedication to his family members. Born on July 5, 1935, Stan attended the College of Nebraska-Lincoln, the place he earned a enterprise diploma. Throughout his time in school, he met the love of his life, Felicia, and collectively they constructed a wedding that lasted 60 years, stuffed with love, laughter, and an unbreakable bond.”
“Stan’s legacy is certainly one of perseverance, success, and love for his household. His influence on those that knew him won’t ever be forgotten.”
Schrier served his nation by deploying to Lebanon for 2 years earlier than graduating school and becoming a member of his household grocery enterprise, which he helped develop into a large chain.
His obituary continued: “Stan’s aggressive spirit prolonged past enterprise. He was an avid racquetball participant, profitable practically each match he entered. A self-taught poker participant, he studied the sport by books and went on to attain a formidable third-place end on the World Collection of Poker.”
Schrier had $979,528 in lifetime earnings relationship again to 2000, in accordance with The Hendon Mob.
“Stan was very effectively revered. A real gentleman,” WSOP bracelet winner and Nebraska native Bob Slezak informed PokerNews. “He was a pleasant acquainted fixture on the Nebraska circuit who additionally performed many occasions in Las Vegas.”
“Stan’s legacy is certainly one of perseverance, success, and love for his household. His influence on those that knew him won’t ever be forgotten,” his obituary concluded.
Schrier was laid to relaxation at Beth El Cemetery in Omaha. The household has requested that any donations be made to the Nebraska Humane Society.
Chad Holloway
PR & Media Supervisor
