There was an unfortunate tragedy during a Texas poker tournament Sunday as a player passed away while playing at Texas Card House in Dallas.
Mark “Doc” Toulouse, 73, passed away during a $300 no-limit hold’em tournament that attracted 1,648 entries.
According to poker pro Todd Witteles, Toulouse collapsed at the table. An ambulance arrived on the scene and took him to a local hospital, where he passed away.
The incident occurred while players were in the money. Toulouse’s stack was blinded out and he finished 26th for $1,475.
A TCH spokesperson released a statement about the situation.
“In the update I got this morning, he had a heart attack at the club. We called an ambulance and they came to get him. Not knowing his status, we were blinding his stack. We are going to reach out to his family to make sure they get his money.”
Toulouse was a history professor at Emmanuel College of Victoria University in the University of Toronto. He wrote and edited numerous books, mostly on the topic of religion.
He retired in 2017 and moved to Texas, where he became a fixture in the local tournament scene. Over the course of his poker career, he racked up $367,948 in tournament earnings, including a World Series of Poker Circuit title at Choctaw in November 2023.
Toulouse’s career-best score came in August 2023 when he topped a 1,793-entry field in the $400 no-limit hold’em “End of Summer Tournament” at Texas Card House Dallas. He netted $89,197.
In a social media post by Toulouse’s family, they said the game was an important part of his retirement life.
“He died last night in dramatic fashion during a game of poker in a community that I know has meant a lot to him over the last few years. He was laughing one minute, then gone the next (presumed heart attack) and attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful. We are all a bit shell shocked today, but are working to make arrangements to celebrate the incredibly life of our Dad. he was simply the very best. We are glad we were able to gather with Mom and Dad over Christmas, the first time the 5 of us had all been together in the same place at the same time for too long. We will share more information about services once details are finalized.”
A similar event happened nearly three years ago during a Triton High Roller Poker Series in Northern Cyprus. Malaysian poker player Ivan Leow suffered a heart attack and passed away after playing several events.
In response, Triton officials canceled the remainder of the series.
Photo Courtesy of World Poker Tour