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Oklahoma Johnny Hale Passes Away at 92
A true character and legend of the game has passed. Early Saturday morning, Herbert Dean Hale, known to the poker world as Oklahoma Johnny Hale, passed away at the age of 92. Hale was primarily known for his advocacy of Seniors Poker and was one of the most vocal players that you’ll ever meet.
His passing was met with an outpouring of love from the poker community with many remembering the man for his exploits in poker and in life.
Legacy of Advocacy for Seniors Poker
For newer fans of poker, the name Oklahoma Johnny Hale may not mean much, but for those of us that have been in poker a while, he is one of the most well-known characters in the game. A Korean War veteran, Hale later turned to poker. He started out hustling the high-stakes home poker games in Tulsa, Oklahoma before moving on to Las Vegas and beyond.
According to his website, he played high stakes poker for three decades but he is most known for his work advocating Seniors poker. Hale worked together with Benny Binion to promote the Seniors Event at the World Series of Poker and served as the host for the event for many years.
Later, Hale created the Seniors World Championship of Poker to give those 50 and older a venue to compete against other seniors in the game they love. Hale then created the Seniors Poker Hall of Fame and has inducted numerous senior pro players. Among those enshrined int he Seniors Poker Hall of Fame are Barbara Enright, Doyle Brunson, Dr. Will Noyes, Jay Heimowitz, and Robert Turner.
Hale continued to advocate for Seniors poker right up until his passing. For the past couple of years, he had hosted a $1k Seniors High Roller Event at the Golden Nugget during their Summer Grand Poker Series.
Looking at his Hendon Mob profile, Hale earned just over $500,000 in career earnings. His best score came in 2009 when he won a $100 NL Hold’em Event at the Orleans Open. In recent years, he could be found regularly playing at the Wynn in $125 buy-in events. His last cash was in April.
Poker Community Shares Memories of Hale
The poker community came out in support of Hale following his death on Saturday. On his Facebook page, poker players and fans shared memories of Hale and shared their condolences. There were several stories of how Hale had helped them in their poker careers or in life in general.
There were fewer tributes, but a couple shared the spirit of the departed poker pro.
Very sad to hear of the passing of Oklahoma Johnny Hale. He was a true gentleman, a war hero, and a first-rate ambassador of the game of poker. In fact, poker is played the way it is today because of the changes… https://t.co/KHseuoDO1f
— Steve Roselius (@SRoselius) December 23, 2019
Just learned that Oklahoma Johnny Hale has passed away. I've played with Johnny in the past and collaborated with him some as a media member. He was always cordial and a character we won't see many of in the poker world in the future. RIP and "Stay Lucky." #poker
— James Guill (@compncards) December 23, 2019
For those that are not familiar with Hale, you check out his site at OklaJohnny.com. It shares a bit about Hale’s life and tells you a bit about his book. He wrote the book, “The Life and Times of a…Gentleman Gambler,” which is essentially an autobiography of Hale’s life and times in poker.
Hale was known around the poker world as the Elder Statesman of Poker and a generally nice guy. While some of his political and personal opinions may have rubbed people the wrong way, there are few that have anything bad to say about him at the poker table.
Hale was a character the likes you do see too many of in the modern poker game. He is a throwback to the old days of poker. Hale was a statesman, promoter, and lover of the game of poker. Personally, I had the opportunity to interact with him on several occasions and while we didn’t have a long working relationship, he was always friendly and willing to help. While it is sad to see him go, we can remember him fondly and look back on the legacy he left with senior’s poker.
