Jack Straus

Jack Straus, known by the nickname "Treetop," was an American professional poker player whose career was distinguished by tournament skill and legendary moments at the tables. Tall and charismatic, he became a central figure on the circuit in the 1970s and 1980s, posting numerous deep runs at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and winning two bracelets over the course of his career. His consistent appearances in the Main Event final stages—including notable finishes in 1972 and 1973 and the championship in 1982—placed him among a select group of the tournament’s elite competitors.

The most famous episode of Straus’s career was his comeback at the 1982 WSOP, when he was nearly eliminated with only a single chip in front of him, giving rise to the aphorism “a chip and a chair”; his recovery en route to the title is frequently cited in poker history. Another hallmark of his career was a notorious cash-game bluff in which, holding a weak hand, he used a combination of betting and psychological pressure to force an opponent to fold—an incident that has entered poker folklore.

Beyond his feats at the tables, Straus was known for varied interests outside poker, such as sport shooting and hunting, and for his sharp humor. He remained active on the circuit until his death, leaving a legacy that led to his posthumous induction into the Poker Hall of Fame and ensured that his stories continue to be cited as examples of strategy, bravery, and psychological play.