Poker legend Doyle Brunson used to say that playing the game later in life kept his mind sharp. California’s Gene Bellar would probably agree with that notion. The 99-year-old poker player served in the U.S. Navy and is a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam.
As World Series of Poker officials began looking for a veteran to kick off the annual $500 Salute to Warriors tournament, Bellar seemed like a perfect fit and was even invited to play as a special guest. He and his daughter were given the complete Sin City treatment, with the trip comped by WSOP officials, which he termed “quite a deal” in an interview with the Chula Vista Star News.
“I love to play poker,” he said in a WSOP video. “I don’t play long. I play maybe two or three hours. My biggest win was $3,200. Mostly it’s a little dab here and a little dab there.”
Off to the WSOP
A regular in San Diego poker rooms, this marked only his third time in Las Vegas. Bellar turns 100 in December and was proving age doesn’t matter when it comes to playing cards.
“I’m here in this poker game for the big money,” he said. “And I hope to come in first place.”
When we were putting together our annual "SALUTE To Warriors" event, we wanted to find a veteran and ask them to give our Shuffle Up and Deal.
— WSOP - World Series of Poker (@WSOP) June 27, 2024
Enter Gene Bellar. Gene is 99 years old and a veteran of WW2, the Korean War, and Vietnam. Gene turns 100 this December and plays poker… pic.twitter.com/N7o23nMFed
Bellar says he doesn’t play necessarily to win money, but enjoys spending some time with others and passing some time. The decorated veteran entered the Navy in 1942 at age 17 as World War II raged in Europe and the South Pacific. He served as an aviation ordnanceman before retiring in 1967.
While he didn’t record a cash in the Salute to Warriors tournament, no doubt it was a memorable experience and Bellar enjoyed meeting with other veterans. He lasted nine hours in the tournament – not bad for a player approaching the century mark.
