Bill Boyd: The Five-Card Stud Legend

William Walter Boyd was born on January 27, 1906, in McNeil, Arkansas. As a teenager, he began traveling across America by train, surviving encounters with hobos and desperate men. In one Montana saloon, he turned $13 into $1,300, foreshadowing his poker prowess. After a stint in the National Guard, Boyd ran cardrooms in San Francisco before moving to Las Vegas.

In 1946, Boyd became the manager of the Golden Nugget casino's cardroom, a position he held until its closing in 1988. He oversaw the spread of poker in the casino and was dealt the ceremonial first hand when the Golden Nugget opened. Later, as a tribute to his long career, he was also dealt the first poker hand at the Mirage in 1989. Boyd is credited with introducing Omaha hold'em (originally called Nugget hold'em) to the poker world after Robert Turner approached him in 1983.

Boyd won all four of his WSOP bracelets in no-limit five-card stud, an event that was later discontinued because he was considered unbeatable. His victories came in consecutive years from 1971 to 1974, making him one of only four players (alongside Doyle Brunson and Loren Klein) to achieve this feat.

In 1973, Boyd was the sole entrant in his event, guaranteeing him a bracelet and $10,000. His total live tournament earnings are $80,000. For a brief period, he held the record for most WSOP bracelets (four) until Johnny Moss tied him in the 1974 Main Event.

Boyd was a master of five-card stud, known for his keen observation and discipline. Fellow legend Amarillo Slim quipped, "I'd rather catch frost on my winter peaches than play stud with Bill Boyd." Boyd's nickname was "The Owl," reflecting his watchful, analytical demeanor at the table. He famously said, "I'd rather have a gambler's word than a preacher's note."

In 1981, Boyd was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in recognition of his skill and contributions to the game. He retired from poker in 1982 and passed away on November 21, 1997, in Las Vegas at age 91, due to complications from a stroke. His impact on poker—from standardizing casino cardroom procedures to introducing a new variant—remains enduring.