Where are they now - “Gentleman” Jack Keller
Jack Keller jumped into the public’s eye in 1984 when he won the 1984 World Series of Poker Main
Event, but he was a well respected player among his peers long before that. Keller would leave the world much too early, but in his time here he surely made the most of it.Jack Keller was born on December 29, 1943, right in the middle of World War II. Perhaps it was because of his time of birth, but after a childhood spent in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he entered the United States Air Force. Like a good majority of his counterparts from this era, he became increasingly interested in gambling during idle times in the service. It is unclear whether or not Keller was a winning or losing gambler while in the Air Force, but what is sure is that something during this time decided that he would be a professional poker player, and the poker world is better for it.
Shortly after his stint in the Air Force he moved to Las Vegas to pursue his new found profession with 100 percent devotion. After refining his skills in most of the poker games, his hard work started to bring him riches in 1984. His first of three bracelets came in the $5,000 Seven Card Stud event, where he took home $137,500. Keller’s best game is considered Seven Card Stud, but it was the same in his era as it is in this era, you weren’t really considered among the best until you win the big one. Keller didn’t wait long to win the Main Event, winning it just a few days later after his first career bracelet.
The biggest turnout yet for a Main Event had arrived at Binion’s Horseshoe Casino, 132 of them. While this seems tiny by today’s standards, what must be considered is that back in this era and before, the field generally consisted of the very best players, while today’s Main Event sometimes has more of the appearance of a crap shoot, than a skilled game. For example, the 1984 Main Event featured eight of the ten past Main Event Champions. The odds didn’t look good for a WSOP rookie.
By the end of day one, the field had been reduced to just seventy-two players. Of those eight previous champions only two remained heading into day two, “Puggy” Pearson and Bobby Baldwin. Keller, meanwhile, was quietly building his own stack while avoiding any major hits.
Day two shrunk the field down to the final table, nine players. Neither Pearson nor Baldwin survived day two, meaning there would be a new champion. Coming in at second place was Keller. Keller had been able to make it this far in the tournament keeping a relatively low profile, something he would do throughout his entire playing career. When it got down to heads-up, Keller was able to outlast Byron Welford and walk into poker immortality, along with a prize of $660,000. Not a bad year.
Keller would go on to win one more WSOP bracelet in the $1,500 Omaha Limit, during the 1993 event, but his overall tournament statistics remain some of the most impressive ever. In this age of giant prizes in all the major tournaments, Keller’s three million dollars plus in winnings doesn’t seem like too much, but among his peers, it is very exceptional. For starters, Keller cashed in an amazing 58 WSOP events. He is currently 52nd in the all-time WSOP money list. In the entire history of poker, only 43 players have won more money than him in all of the tournaments combined. What is ironic about this is that Keller considered himself a better cash game player than a tournament player. Keller is clearly one of the most underrated and underappreciated players of all time, but his lack of notoriety may be because of his quiet demeanor.
The “Gentleman Jack” nickname was given to Keller because he was just that, a gentleman. Even before the internet and television boom in the late 90’s most poker players tried to get themselves “out there.” Keller never went on talk shows, never voiced out his concerns in a public manner, and never participated in highly publicized stunts, or “prop bets.” Keller was simply content with being just a poker player. Also, it isn’t uncommon to hear of these great champions of the past berating dealers, or cursing at other players after a particularly bad beat. Keller has never been associated with any of these types of stories. Much like the late Chip Reese, Keller would steam, but he would do it in his own private ways. He also would never boast after a large win, something he had plenty of opportunities to do.
In Keller’s later years he started having health problems, and decided to move away from the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas. Unable to fully take himself away from poker, he moved to Mississippi, where he spent the rest of his days playing in high-stakes cash games, and smaller tournaments at the Tunica Casino. Keller died on December 5, 2003, just four months after cashing in his final tournament.
Keller’s impressive stats will surely be dwarfed as time goes on due to the tournaments growing larger every day, but when you put his accomplishments in the proper context and perspective, it’s hard to imagine many better players. What makes Keller that much more refreshing is that he didn’t feel the need to do anything else in a convoluted effort to be more popular from just the game itself. Keller was properly congratulated for his contributions to the poker world in 2001 when he was inducted to the World Poker Hall of Fame. Perhaps Keller’s most famous contribution to the poker world was that of his daughter, famous poker player Kathy Kolberg. Kolberg has kept the Keller tradition alive by continuing to cash in the biggest poker tournaments in the world.
Major Tournament Results
Aug-03 $ 200 Limit Hold'em
The Third Jack Binion Mid-America Poker Classic, Tunica 4th $ 3,470
Aug-01 $ 300 No Limit Hold'em
2nd Annual Mid-America Poker Classic, Tunica 8th $ 2,002
Aug-01 $ 300 Pot Limit Omaha
2nd Annual Mid-America Poker Classic, Tunica 2nd $ 20,777
Jul-01 $ 200 No Limit Hold'em
2001 Orleans Open, Las Vegas 2nd $ 17,160
Apr-01 $ 2,000 Texas Hold'em (limit)
32nd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2001, Las Vegas 12th $ 14,315
Mar-01 $ 500 Limit Hold'em
The Second Annual Jack Binion World Poker Open, Tunica 1st $ 92,058
May-98 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
29th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1998, Las Vegas 22nd $ 25,000
May-97 $ 3,000 Limit Hold'em
28th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1997, Las Vegas 17th $ 4,632
May-97 $ 2,500 Omaha Pot Limit
28th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1997, Las Vegas 4th $ 32,025
May-96 $ 3,000 Limit Hold'em
27th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1996, Las Vegas 13th $ 5,010
Apr-96 $ 1,500 Omaha Pot Limit
27th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1996, Las Vegas 3rd $ 42,150
Jun-95 $ 500 Pot Limit Omaha
Queens Poker Classic Summer Edition, Las Vegas 5th $ 3,905
May-95 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
26th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1995, Las Vegas 28th $ 17,300
Feb-95 $ 1,000 Omaha Hi/Lo Split
LA Poker Classic IV, Los Angeles 4th $ 3,710
Jan-95 $ 1,000 No Limit Hold'em
Queens Poker Classic V, Las Vegas 2nd $ 31,800
Jan-95 $ 1,000 Omaha Hi/Lo Split
Queens Poker Classic V, Las Vegas 7th $ 3,465
Jan-95 $ 500 Pot Limit Omaha
Queens Poker Classic V, Las Vegas 9th $ 2,380
Jan-95 $ 500 Omaha Hi/Lo Split
Queens Poker Classic V, Las Vegas 8th $ 1,720
Dec-94 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em
1994 World Poker Finals, Mashantucket 4th $ 16,000
Dec-94 $ 1,500 Pot Limit Omaha
Hall of Fame Poker Classic 1994, Las Vegas 3rd $ 19,260
Dec-94 $ 2,000 7 Card Stud
1994 World Poker Finals, Mashantucket 8th $ 1,880
Sep-94 $ 500 No Limit Hold'em
Queens Poker Classic Summer Edition, Las Vegas 6th $ 3,080
Sep-94 $ 500 No Limit Hold'em
Queens Poker Classic Summer Edition, Las Vegas 2nd $ 27,600
Sep-94 $ 500 Pot Limit Hold'em
Queens Poker Classic Summer Edition, Las Vegas 2nd $ 26,680
Aug-94 $ 300 Omaha Hi/Lo
10th Annual Diamond Jim Brady, Oceanside 2nd $ 16,675
Jul-94 $ 500 No Limit Hold'em
1st Annual Seniors Championship Of Poker, Oceanside 10th $ 210
Apr-94 $ 1,500 Seven-Card Stud Split
25th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1994, Las Vegas 14th $ 3,180
Mar-94 $ 300 Omaha
Masters Of Poker Championship III, Gardena 6th $ 823
Mar-94 $ 5,000 No Limit Hold'em
LA Poker Classic III, Los Angeles 9th $ 6,700
Jan-94 $ 5,000 No Limit Hold'em
Queens Poker Classic IV, Las Vegas 7th $ 17,625
Dec-93 $ 2,000 7 Card Stud
1993 World Poker Finals, Mashantucket 3rd $ 7,800
Dec-93 $ 500 Hold'em
1993 World Poker Finals, Mashantucket 4th $ 2,040
Oct-93 $ 300 No Limit Hold'em
Oktober Pokerfest, Los Angeles 3rd $ 4,050
Oct-93 $ 300 Omaha Hi/Lo Split
Oktober Pokerfest, Los Angeles 7th $ 1,310
May-93 $ 5,000 Limit Hold'em
24th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1993, Las Vegas 3rd $ 41,400
May-93 $ 2,500 No Limit Hold'em
24th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1993, Las Vegas 6th $ 15,138
Apr-93 $ 1,500 Omaha Limit
24th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1993, Las Vegas 1st $ 61,800
Apr-93 $ 1,500 Limit Hold'em
24th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1993, Las Vegas 2nd $ 110,400
Mar-93 $ 5,000 No Limit Hold'em - Championship Event
1993 L.A. Poker Classic, Los Angeles 3rd $ 33,750
Jan-93 $ 1,000 Seven Card Stud
Queens Poker Classic III, Las Vegas 2nd $ 18,400
Jan-93 $ 1,000 Lowball
Queens Poker Classic III, Las Vegas 6th $ 2,950
Jan-93 $ 2,500 No Limit Deuce to Seven
Queens Poker Classic III, Las Vegas 2nd $ 18,750
Jan-93 $ 500 Omaha Hi/Lo
Queens Poker Classic III, Las Vegas 8th $ 1,690
Nov-92 $ 1,000 Limit Seven Card Stud
Hall of Fame Poker Classic 1992, Las Vegas 5th $ 5,300
Nov-92 $ 1,500 Pot Limit Omaha
Hall of Fame Poker Classic 1992, Las Vegas 4th $ 12,495
Nov-92 $ 2,500 No Limit Deuce to Seven
Hall of Fame Poker Classic 1992, Las Vegas 1st $ 79,875
Nov-92 $ 1,500 Omaha Hi/Lo Split
Hall of Fame Poker Classic 1992, Las Vegas 6th $ 6,075
Nov-92 $ 1,500 No Limit Hold'em
Hall of Fame Poker Classic 1992, Las Vegas 5th $ 10,425
29-Jun-92 $ 5,000 L.A Poker Championship
LA Poker Classic, Los Angeles 7th $ 9,975
May-92 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
23rd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1992, Las Vegas 8th $ 20,200
Jan-92 $ 5,000 No Limit Hold'em
Queens Poker Classic II, Las Vegas 3rd $ 50,000
Jan-92 $ 1,000 Omaha Hi/Lo
Queens Poker Classic II, Las Vegas 4th $ 6,500
Nov-91 $ 2,500 Pot Limit Omaha
Hall Of Fame Poker Classic 1991, Las Vegas 3rd $ 34,200
Aug-91 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em
7th Annual Diamond Jim Brady, Los Angeles 5th $ 23,000
Aug-91 $ 2,500 No Limit Hold'em
7th Annual Diamond Jim Brady, Los Angeles 6th $ 7,600
Aug-91 $ 1,000 Omaha Hi/Lo
7th Annual Diamond Jim Brady, Los Angeles 8th $ 1,760
Aug-91 $ 500 Limit Hold'em
7th Annual Diamond Jim Brady, Los Angeles 3rd $ 24,660
Jun-91 $ 500 Pot Limit Omaha
US Open, Las Vegas 2nd $ 9,500
May-91 $ 5,000 Omaha Pot Limit
22nd World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1991, Las Vegas 8th $ 7,875
Feb-91 $ 1,000 Pot Limit Hold'em
Queens Poker Classic, Las Vegas 17th $ 1,072
Feb-91 $ 1,000 Limit Omaha Hi/Lo
Queens Poker Classic, Las Vegas 1st $ 41,200
Feb-91 $ 500 Limit Hold'em
Queens Poker Classic, Las Vegas 10th $ 1,710
Feb-91 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Laughlin 1st $ 52,250
Feb-91 $ 1,000 Pot Limit Omaha
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Laughlin 1st $ 15,200
Dec-90 $ 1,000 Limit Hold'em
Hall Of Fame Poker Classic 1990, Las Vegas 2nd $ 73,400
Dec-90 $ 300 Pot Limit Omaha
National Finals, Las Vegas 2nd $ 12,000
Nov-90 $ 300 Pot Limit Hold'em
National Finals, Las Vegas 7th $ 2,340
Feb-90 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 2nd $ 96,000
Feb-90 $ 200 Pot Limit Omaha
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 2nd $ 32,840
-Jan-90 $ 300 Limit Hold'em
Super Stars Of Poker, Tahoe 6th $ 2,730
Dec-89 $ 5,000 Championship Event - No Limit Hold'em
Hall of Fame Poker Classic 1989, Las Vegas 2nd $ 116,000
Jul-89 $ 1,500 Pot Limit Omaha
7th Annual America's Cup, Las Vegas 1st $ 27,750
May-89 $ 2,500 Omaha Pot Limit
20th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1989, Las Vegas 9th $ 9,200
Nov-88 Limit Five Card Stud - Stripped Deck
The Malta European Poker Championship, Silema 3rd $ 3,793
May-88 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
19th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1988, Las Vegas 31st $ 7,500
May-88 $ 1,500 Limit Hold'em
19th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1988, Las Vegas 2nd $ 139,875
Feb-88 $ 1,000 Ace to Five Draw
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 4th $ 5,000
Feb-88 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 2nd $ 84,000
May-87 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
18th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1987, Las Vegas 9th $ 18,750
May-87 $ 1,500 Limit Hold'em
18th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1987, Las Vegas 2nd $ 118,125
Feb-87 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 1st $ 220,000
Feb-87 $ 2,500 No Limit 2-7 Lowball
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 1st $ 48,000
Feb-87 $ 200 No Limit Hold'em
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 10th $ 2,500
Jan-87 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em
Grand Prix of Poker 1987, Las Vegas 3rd $ 100,000
Jan-87 $ 2,500 Limit Hold'em
Grand Prix of Poker 1987, Las Vegas 1st $ 97,000
May-86 $ 1,000 Omaha Limit
17th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1986, Las Vegas 2nd $ 24,200
May-86 $ 1,000 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo
17th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1986, Las Vegas 7th $ 5,520
May-86 $ 5,000 No Limit Ace to 5 Draw
17th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1986, Las Vegas 2nd $ 73,750
Feb-86 Pot Limit Omaha
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 1st $ 77,500
Feb-86 $ 500 Limit Hold'em
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 1st $ 41,000
Jan-86 $ 1,000 Limit Hold'em
1986 Stairway to the stars, Las Vegas 3rd $ 16,576
Jan-86 $ 500 No Limit Hold'em
1986 Stairway to the stars, Las Vegas 3rd $ 3,750
Jan-86 $ 200 Limit Omaha
1986 Stairway to the stars, Las Vegas 2nd $ 3,440
Jan-86 $ 1,000 Limit Hold'em
Grand Prix of Poker 1986, Las Vegas 5th $ 10,000
May-85 $ 1,000 Pot Limit Omaha
16th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1985, Las Vegas 7th $ 6,300
Feb-85 $ 10,000 Main Event - No Limit Hold'em
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 5th $ 20,500
Feb-85 $ 1,000 Omaha
Amarillo Slim's Superbowl Of Poker, Las Vegas 3rd $ 15,400
Jan-85 $ 5,000 No Limit Hold'em
1985 Stairway to the Stars, Las Vegas 4th $ 6,600
Jan-85 $ 2,500 Limit Hold'em
Grand Prix of Poker 1985, Las Vegas 1st $ 87,500
Nov-84 $ 1,000 No Limit Hold'em
1984 Grand Prix of Poker, Las Vegas 3rd $ 17,800
Nov-84 $ 5,000 Pot Limit Omaha
1984 Grand Prix of Poker, Las Vegas 2nd $ 44,000
Nov-84 $ 1,000 Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo
1984 Grand Prix of Poker, Las Vegas 6th $ 6,160
Sep-84 $ 1,000 Limit Seven Card Stud
America's Cup Of Poker 1984, Las Vegas 2nd $ 8,000
Sep-84 $ 1,000 No Limit Lowball
America's Cup Of Poker 1984, Las Vegas 1st $ 5,500
May-84 $ 10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
15th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1984, Las Vegas 1st $ 660,000
May-84 $ 5,000 Seven-Card Stud
15th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 1984, Las Vegas 1st $ 137,500
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