Byron Wolford (September 14, 1930 – May 13, 2003), also known as Cowboy Wolford, was an American rodeo cowboy and professional poker player, who was the winner of a

World Series of Poker bracelet The World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet is considered the most coveted non-monetary prize a poker player can win. Since 1976, a bracelet has been awarded to the winner of every event at the annual WSOP. Even if the victory occurred before 1976 ...

in 1991 and runner-up in the 1984 World Series of Poker Main Event. Wolford cashed in various events at the

World Series of Poker The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is a series of poker tournaments held annually in Paradise, Nevada, and since 2004, sponsored by Eldorado Resorts, Caesars Entertainment. It dates its origins to 1970, when Benny Binion invited seven of the best ...

(WSOP), including the Main Event. He achieved his highest Main Event showing in 1984 when he finished as runner-up to Jack Keller. For his second-place finish, Wolford won $264,000. Over the years, Wolford made the final tables in other events at the WSOP, finishing in second place on several occasions. He won a WSOP bracelet in

1991 It was the final year of the Cold War, which had begun in 1947. During the year, the Soviet Union Dissolution of the Soviet Union, collapsed, leaving Post-soviet states, fifteen sovereign republics and the Commonwealth of Independent State ...

in the $5,000 limit Texas hold 'em event, defeating fellow professional

Erik Seidel Erik Seidel (born November 6, 1959) is an American professional poker player from Las Vegas, Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, who has won ten World Series of Poker bracelets and a World Poker Tour title. In 2010, he was inducted into the Poker Hall o ...

. His career winnings were $1,012,500, with his nine cashes at the WSOP accounting for $782,410 of his lifetime winnings. Wolford also won the $10,000 No Limit Deuce-to-Seven Draw at the inaugural Super Bowl of Poker in 1979. As a rodeo champion, Wolford set the all-time speed record for calf roping at

Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as the Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City. It is located in Midtown Manhattan between Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh and Eighth Avenue (Manhattan), Eig ...

in the 1950s. He also won back-to-back championships at the

Calgary Stampede The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, fair, exhibition, and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event, which bills itself as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", attracts over one million visitors per year a ...

. Wolford was the author of the book, "Cowboys, Gamblers & Hustlers: The True Adventures of a Rodeo Champion & Poker Legend".

World Series of Poker Bracelets

References

External links

Card Player profileHendon Mob profileWSOP profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wolford, Byron 1930 births 2003 deaths American poker players World Series of Poker bracelet winners Super Bowl of Poker event winners Roping (rodeo)