According to a recent article from CardPlayer.com, the poker world has lost a dear friend today, with the passing of  Hans "Tuna" Lund, after losing his fight with cancer at the age of 59.

Tuna, along with being a beloved figure on the poker tournament trail for over 20 years, was also a very worthy adversary, with two World Series of Poker bracelets to his credit and a third and second place finish at the WSOP Main Event, in 1992 and 1990 respectively.

At the 1990 final table, Lund was notoriously only one card away from being the next world champion, needing only to fade the last two tens in the deck to eliminate his final rival Monsour Matloubi.  Unfortunately for Lund, the 10 of spades showed up on the river, doubling up Matloubi and eventually leading him instead to the 1990 Main Event bracelet.

Despite that brutal beat, Tuna clearly not only loved the game of poker but had more success at it than most, earning close to $3 million during his storied career. 

Tomorrow, at the 2009 WSOP Main Event final table, it is clear that many will now be thinking of Hans "Tuna" Lund, as we as a community prepare to crown our next champion.


Story by Mark Anderson