What we Know About Poker Pro Fred Sarge Ferris
Ever heard of Fred “Sarge” Ferris? Mr. Ferris was a wiz at the game of poker and profited from it nicely. He realized that some just play poker to have fun, and others play it as a hobby. Fred “Sarge” Ferris played to make money, not just for casual spending but to make it his lifestyle.
Gambling wasn’t called gambling back then, at least not to Fred Ferris. He had a distinct style making him very hard to read for other players, by showing no emotion or never showing his cards. This frustrated other players making them do things on with their cards they normally wouldn’t do. Fred grew up in the great depression; with his father doing everything he could to put food on the table and a roof over their head. His brother enlisted in the Navy and later became a well respected watchmaker and jeweler. However Ferris wanted more.
Fred “Sarge” Ferris became a decorated poker player winning his first tournament in a deuce-to-seven draw. He later became a gold bracelet winner at the World Series of poker. Although he wasn’t much for attention, winning tournaments starting getting him publicity. After Ferris collected his winnings he was approached by Stu Ungar.
Stu Ungar told Ferris that he legitimately could win the world series title. It took a lot of convincing too because he told Ferris that he had never played in the World Series Of Poker before. Somehow he did it and Ferris put him in. Ungar was listed as an extreme long shot with odds at 100:1. Ungar played masterfully making the final table and defeating Ferris’s long time rival Doyle Brunson.
However with all the money Ferris had won he hadn’t paid his taxes on it. On April 22nd 1983 IRS agents approached Ferris and seized $46,000 in chips while he was at a high stakes poker game. One of the agents after seizing the money proceeded to tell Ferris that he should use the remaining chips to buy himself a taco.
Fred “Sarge” Ferris and his scandal outrage the local Hispanic communities. Protesting that one of the agents mocked Ferris’ ethnicity. His parents were born in Lebanon but he was somehow mistaken for a Mexican. This was all a misunderstanding. Ferris said the agent was trying to be nice. The incident died off eventually.
Fred spent most of his life at just about every casino in Las Vegas, playing in various high stakes games. On March 12th 1989 Fred “Sarge” Ferris had a massive heart attack at a casino in Las Vegas. With the funeral set days later, a large crowd of people starting pouring in to honor this mans life. Fred was called a “consummate pro” and was well respected by most.
Fred “Sarge” Ferris would later be linked to scandals across the poker world, because of an investigation between Las Vegas casinos and Indian reservations naming him as one of five people who still owed the mob money. In Fred’s case the mob never would see that money again. However with everything that happened Fred “Sarge” Ferris became the 18th inductee into the poker hall of fame later that year.
He will be remembered for his accolades and achievements in the world of poker. His intelligence for the game and his techniques have earned him the respect of future poker players. Fred “Sarge” Ferris was called a “consummate pro” for a reason.
