Dan Robison

Dan Robison was born around 1945, originally from Dayton, Ohio. He attended Fairmont High School in Kettering, graduating in 1963. While in school, he participated in basketball and golf, winning state golf team championships with his teammates in 1961 and 1963, and finishing as runner-up in 1962.

In 1973, Robison moved to Las Vegas with his close friend Chip Reese, initially planning to stay for just one weekend. The two brought only $800 combined. They took turns playing $10/$20 Seven-Card Stud at the Stardust, each session lasting 12 hours. Within just two and a half years, they turned that money into $2 million, earning the nickname "Golddust Twins." The pair quickly became legends, and Robison was recognized as one of the best Seven-Card Stud cash game players in the world at the time.

Robison cashed six times in 32 World Series of Poker (WSOP) events, including one win. His biggest result came in 1995 WSOP Event #17: $2,500 Limit Seven-Card Stud, where he defeated 140 players to win the title and $140,000. He also earned money in WSOP Seven-Card Stud events in 1992, 1993, 1994, and 2002. His total live tournament earnings exceeded $225,000.

Robison struggled with cocaine addiction, and after getting clean, he became a born-again Christian. Doyle Brunson recalled that Robison was once so severely addicted he couldn't walk, but after a pastor prayed for him, he was immediately healed without withdrawal symptoms. Robison died in 2014 at the age of 68–69. Many in the poker community expressed condolences; Phil Hellmuth called him "an entertainer at the table," and Linda Johnson said he was "a good guy and a tough poker player."

Dan Robison is remembered for his Seven-Card Stud skills and his legendary partnership with Chip Reese. His story embodies the adventure and wisdom of the early golden age of poker, and he remains a figure of interest for poker historians and players.