Byron Wolford, also referred to as Cowboy Wolford[1], was born on September 14, 1930, and passed away on May 13, 2003. He was an American rodeo cowboy and a skilled professional poker player. He secured a World Series of Poker bracelet in 1991 and was a close second in the 1984 World Series of Poker Main Event.
Wolford had several notable performances at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), including the Main Event. His best achievement in the Main Event came in 1984 when he was the runner-up to Jack Keller. This second-place victory brought him $264,000. Throughout his career, Wolford frequently reached the final tables in various WSOP events, often finishing in the second place.
In 1991, he emerged victorious in the WSOP $5,000 limit Texas hold ’em event, earning himself a WSOP bracelet by defeating fellow professional, Erik Seidel. His overall career earnings amounted to $1,012,500, with $782,410 of this total coming from his nine cashes at the WSOP.
Wolford also triumphed in the $10,000 No Limit Deuce-to-Seven Draw at the first-ever Super Bowl of Poker in 1979.
As a rodeo champion, Wolford established an unprecedented speed record for calf roping at Madison Square Garden in the 1950s. He achieved consecutive victories at the Calgary Stampede. Wolford penned the book, “Cowboys, Gamblers & Hustlers: The True Adventures of a Rodeo Champion & Poker Legend”.
During the 1930s oil boom, Byron “Cowboy” Wolford, the 1991 World Series of Poker limit hold’em champion, was born in a tent. He started his vibrant career in the rodeo circuit at the age of 17, setting a record at Madison Square Garden and clinching consecutive championships at the Calgary Stampede.
In 1960, he transitioned into a professional poker player, traversing the South as a road gambler and hustler in the thrilling yet perilous poker scene. Throughout his journey, he befriended several vibrant and influential gamblers such as Titanic Thompson, Doyle Brunson, Jack Straus, Bobby Baldwin, and Benny Binion.
Take a glimpse into the golden era of hold’em, where games were played in foggy, hidden rooms with renowned players like Titanic Thompson and Doyle Brunson. Experience the nostalgia of old Las Vegas under the reign of Benny Binion, a friend of Cowboy, who controlled Glitter Gulch. Join the journey of the traveling gamblers who traversed the white line from Dallas to Shreveport to Houston in the 1960s in pursuit of games.
Cowboys Gamblers & Hustlers
Price: $19.95
This inside looks at the early glory days of hold’em, playing in smoky backrooms with legends such as Titanic Thompson and Doyle Brunson. Get a look at vintage Las Vegas when Cowboy’s friend, Benny Binion ruled Glitter Gulch and ride along with the road gamblers as they faded the white line from Dallas to Shreveport to Houston in the 1960s in search of games. Read fascinating yarns about life on the rough and tumble, and colorful adventures as a road gambler; feel the fear and frustration of being hijacked, getting arrested for playing poker, and having to outwit card sharps and scam artists. Wolford survived it all to win a gold bracelet at the World Series playing with poker greats Amarillo Slim Preston, Johnny Moss and 1978 World Champion, Bobby Baldwin. Wolford also won 30 rodeo belt buckles. Baldwin says, Cowboy is probably the best gambling story teller in the world.
