Stuey, The Movie (Stu Ungar)

Watch for release of the movie Stuey anytime soon; it was filmed and finished a short while ago and may be hitting public arenas soon. It's a true-story film about poker legend Stu Ungar, who died in 1998 at the age of 42.

The movie stars Michael Imperioli as Stu, and features other instantly recognizable actors like Pat Morita, Michael Nouri. Andrew Glazer, editor of Wednesday Night Poker, served as technical advisor and plays a bit role himself. Ungar, a bone-thin, restless, fast-living gambler full of nervous energy, won the World Series of Poker 3 times -- in 1980, 1981, and coming back an incredible 16 years later to win it again in 1997. He also won the Super Bowl of Poker 3 times.

He had a photographic memory, and was the reason why most casinos, and all of them in Atlantic City, stopped offering single-deck blackjack. He was playing one night at Caesars Palace, and won $83,000 until the manager stopped the game. Then Ungar -- to pay him back -- began reciting the rest of the deck's cards, in order, that remained to be dealt. He was correct all the way through. Another time, he bet Bob Stupak, developer of the Stratosphere, that he could recite the last 3 decks of a 6-deck shoe, in return for $100,000. He did it -- all 156 cards correct. The two became and remained good friends; Stupak was known to occasionally pay his debts and stake him at tournaments.

Ungar was likeable and poker friends and fans loved retelling his exploits. Ungar said of himself that he was a better gin player than poker player. It was only after his gin rummy gambling wasn't paying that he turned to poker and Las Vegas. He was an unstoppable gambler. Although he won probably millions from cards, he spent it all as quickly as it came. One favorite story about him concerns a bartender who wouldn't serve him alcohol because he looked so young, so he pulled out $20,000 in two thick stacks from his pockets and made the bartender admit a kid wouldn't have that kind of money.

Of course, much of his money went to feed his drug habit. Ungar was found dead in a hotel room with Percodan, cocaine and methadone in his system, and the coroner's report said his death was due to atherosclerosis. He is survived by a 15-year-old daughter.

No one knows what feats he could have achieved had he lived; the stories that live about this remarkable character and his phenomenal memory and abilities make this movie one not to miss.

Article courtesy of
pokermagazine.com

News Added: 07 May, 2006

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