Poker legend David “Devilfish” Ulliott passed away on Monday after a battle with cancer. His condition was not known to the general public until very recently; it was only late March that well-wishers starting posting on his Facebook page. Just three days ago, Ulliott posted on his Twitter page, “Thanks for all the support and messages.”
Ulliott’s passing was confirmed by his son on both his father’s Facebook and Twitter pages today, as he wrote simply, “Unfortunately Dad, Dave ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott lost his battle with cancer today and died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones. Thank you for all your support, love the family xxxxxxx.”
David Ulliott was one of the ultimate characters in poker history, straddling the strange line between back alley street tough and cool, classy, “I know more than you” poker pro. A fan favorite, Ulliott gained great popularity during last decade’s poker boom by speaking his mind at the tables while wearing fancy suits, orange-tinted sunglasses, and plenty of gold jewelry, including his trademark “DEVIL FISH” knuckle dusters.
On the live tournament circuit, he earned over $6.2 million, second-most on England’s all-time list. He won one World Series of Poker bracelet back in 1997 in the $2,000 Pot-Limit Hold’em Event. He also won the 2003 World Poker Tour Jack Binion World Poker Open in Tunica. In addition to his tournament prowess, Ulliott was a regular in cash games in England and, to a lesser extent, Las Vegas.
In the 2006 book, Swimming with the Devilfish – Under the Surface of Professional Poker, Ulliott described his playing style to author Des Wilson:
Aggressive. If I’m going over the cliff, you’re coming with me. If you want to mess in my pot then you learn that all your chips are on the line. Not a few – all of them. I’m not saying that’s necessarily the best way to play but it has definite advantages. I will make calls that a lot of other players won’t make and a lot of the time I’m going to lose, but a lot of the time it’s going to be the crucial hand to allow me to win the tournament. But I’m not afraid of getting knocked out.
Both that book and Ulliott’s 2010 autobiography, Devilfish: The Life & Times of a Poker Legend, are entertaining reads that any poker fan would enjoy.
As for that nickname, Des Wilson writes in Swimming with the Devilfish that it was Stephen Au Yeung, who operated the Broad Street spieler (gambling club) in Birmingham, England, who originally called Ulliott “the Devilfish,” It grew legs during a tournament at the Four Queens in 1997. In the tournament, Ulliott was heads-up for the title against Men “The Master” Nguyen. Nguyen’s supporters, of which he had many, were cheering loudly for their guy. In response, one of Ulliott’s friends yelled, “Go on, the Devilfish!” Ulliott won and the press release the next day was titled, “Devilfish Devours the Master.”
An example of Ulliott’s personality and love of life was evident just days ago. Rob Yong, owner of the Dusk Till Dawn poker club, visited Ulliott at his home. He relayed this story to the club’s director, Simon Trumper, who posted it on Facebook:
So I get to the Devil’s house and he is having a nap. I waited a few hours and then I decided not to wake him up. Once I am half way back to Nottingham, his wife mailed me that he has woken up and said, ‘Tell that **** to turn the **** around and get back here!’ So I went back to Hull, where the Devilfish entertained me and Numpty till 5 a.m. on the piano and guitar. He’s spending some quality time with his family and is really touched by all of the wishes of support from everyone.
David “Devilfish” Ulliott celebrated his 61st birthday on Saturday.
