Poker History Might Have Been Different...
Dewey Tomko lost heads-up to Jack Strauss in 1982. Dewey will tell you the story about how all the money was in the pot. Dewey held A-4 and flopped a four against Strauss' A-10. His friends and reporters surrounded him. Some were shaking his hand when the dealer put out the final card. The 10 spiked on the river to give Strauss the victory.
At the 2001 WSOP Main Event, Tomko had A-A and was all in against Carlos Mortensen's . Mortensen filled in his club flush to take down the championship. For the second time inside of twenty years. Dewey Tomko headed to the rail in second place.
Tomko is considered one of the nicest guys in poker and beloved by his friends. He's admitted that he's lived a great life and has earned a living as a gambler in poker, sports betting, and on the golf course.
T.J. Cloutier is considered the best player never to have won the WSOP main event with over 59 major tournament victories. He took second place in 1985 when he lost to Bill Smith. He also finished in second place in 2000, the year that Jesus Ferguson won. Cloutier held A-Q and was all in against Ferguson's A-9. History could have been different if a 9 did not spike on the river. It did and Ferguson won the championship as Cloutier finished in second place once again.
Although TJ Cloutier and Dewey Tomko have never won the big one, they have the hearts and minds set on winning the $50K HORSE event.