Gentleman Jack Keller

Keller served in the United States Air Force prior to becoming a poker pro. He was an excellent player at all poker forms who loved to take risks. When Seven-Card Stud was popular Jack was know as one of the strongest stud players. And his low ball talent was described as “Murderous”.

Jack played like many other successful players aggressively, sometimes too aggressively. Maybe because he never worried about money, though why should he, he was always winning plenty. The only one thing that spoilt the whole picture was his substance abuse.

Don’t think he earned his nickname “Gentleman” by being one. He acquired it from the press corps of “Gentleman Jack” when he was working at the stock market.

Along with the 1984 WSOP main event, Jack won 3 WSOP bracelets and more than $1.4 million in tournament play during his career.

Jack had three children, including poker professional Kathy Kolberg. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1994, and passed away in December 2003.

Jack’s winning WSOP hand:

Ts Th

No hand descriptions are available on this hand, Byron ‘Cowboy’ Wolford had 6-4, and it would appear he went chasing a straight but found no luck on the river and Bill’s pocket 10’s held up. The board was 5-6-9-8-J

Career Highlights:

• 1984 – Seven-Card Stud – 1st place
• 1984 – NL Holdem (Championship Event) – 1st place
• 1987 – NL Holdem – 9th
• 1988 – Limit Holdem – 2nd
• 1988 – NL Holdem – 31st
• 1989 – PL Omaha – 9th
• 1991 – PL Omaha – 8th
• 1992 – NL Holdem – 8th
• 1993 – Limit Holdem – 2nd
• 1993 – Limit Omaha – 1st
• 1993 – NL Holdem – 6th
• 1993 – Limit Holdem – 3rd
• 1996 – PL Omaha – 3rd 14) 1996 – Limit Holdem – 13th
• 1997 – PL Omaha – 4th
• 1997 – Limit Holdem – 17th
• 1998 – NL Holdem – 22nd
• 2001 – Limit Holdem – 12th