Eldon Brown

Eldon Brown began playing poker in college and turned professional, eventually becoming a well-known figure in the live tournament circuit. Before his poker success, he worked as an importer and wholesaler of Japanese Koi fish. He also organized the Cajun Cup poker tournament in Louisiana from 1986 through 1989.

Brown's most notable victory came in December 1995 at the Hall of Fame Poker Classic, a $1,000 buy-in limit Hold'em event held at Binion's Horseshoe. Topping a record field of 352 players, he won $132,000 and a commemorative gold watch. He entered the final table as a chip leader and secured heads-up play with a 5-to-1 advantage, eventually winning with K-7 offsuit against J.C. Pearson's 9-3 suited.

Brown has multiple cashes at the World Series of Poker spanning over two decades:

• 1986: Event #6: $1,500 Limit Hold'em – 7th place ($17,580)
• 1987: Event #12: $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event – 7th place ($35,500)
• 1992: Event #2: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em – 8th place ($7,620)
• 2009: Event #57: $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event – 570th place ($23,196)

Additionally, he won a title at the 1989 Caesar's Super Challenge.

As of 1995, Brown was 46 years old and had been a professional poker player for 18 years. Known for his calm demeanor at the table, he once famously declared during the Hall of Fame final table, "I need that watch," referring to the commemorative timepiece. Brown remains a respected figure in the poker community, with a career marked by consistent deep runs in major tournaments.