Gavin Smith

Gavin Smith (1968-2019), also known as “Bird Guts”, was a Canadian professional poker player known for his talkative nature and wild play at the table. He was born on September 4th, 1968, in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Over his career, Smith earned over $6.3 million in live tournament winnings and proudly held one WSOP bracelet.

Notably, his largest live cash prize of $1,128,278 came when he won the WPT Mirage Poker Showdown in May 2005. Additionally, he received the WPT Season IV Player of the Year award that same year. Smith was also a sponsored pro for the now-defunct Full Tilt Poker. Unfortunately, Smith passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 14th, 2019, at the age of 50 in Houston, Texas, where he had been living.

Gavin Smith: Early Life

Gavin Smith was born on September 4th, 1968, in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. As a child, he learned to play cards by playing games of cribbage and rummy with his father. He supported himself by driving a taxi and cutting greens in Guelph. It wasn’t until he turned 26 that he discovered poker, starting out by playing mixed games with his co-workers.

In 1996, Gavin took a significant step in his poker journey by becoming a dealer at a local card room. Just two years later, in 1998, he established his poker club in Kitchener, Ontario.

Tributes to Gavin Smith

On the opening day of the WSOP on May 28th at 6 PM, a $200 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournament was held at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, marking the opening event of the 2019 World Series of Poker. The tournament aimed to raise funds for the family of popular poker player Gavin Smith. The event was rake-free, with $100 from each entry going to the prize pool and the other $100 contributing to the Gavin Smith Trust.

A GoFundMe fundraiser was initiated by Gavin’s friend and fellow pro, Josh Arieh to support his sons, Kingston and Keegan. Gavin, who had sole custody of his children, passed away unexpectedly. Friends and his long-time lawyers at Poker Royalty have organized the fundraiser to provide financial assistance. All proceeds will be held in an escrow account until a trust is established exclusively for Gavin’s sons.

The Gavin Smith Burger

Mark “P0ker H0” Kroon used a longstanding tradition at Players Bar in Madison, Wisconsin, Wisconsin, to raise funds for his friend Smith’s children. The bar reintroduced “The Gavin Burger,” originally designed by Smith. This half-pound burger featured Jennifer Street ground beef, pepper jack cheese, jalapeños, fried onions, and roasted red pepper garlic mayo, served with fries or chips for $10. All proceeds went to Smith’s kids, and Madison businessman Jon Green matched the total amount raised.

Gavin Smith: Live Tournament Participation

Gavin Smith recorded his first live cash in November 1998. He participated in a $500 Limit Hold’em event at the 1998 World Poker Finals in Mashantucket. Smith placed 9th and earned $1,087. 

In May 2005, Gavin Smith achieved his best live cash by winning the $10,000 + $200 WPT No Limit Hold’em Championship at the 2005 Mirage Poker Showdown in Las Vegas. He took 1st place and won $1,128,278.

Later that year, in October, Smith took part in a $10,000 + $200 2nd Annual Doyle Brunson North American Poker Championship at Bellagio Festa Al Lago IV. He placed 3rd and earned $327,610.

Then, in October 2008, he competed in a C$10,000 + $300 No Limit Hold’em event at the 2008 North American Poker Championship in Niagara Falls. He finished 2nd and took home $542,129.

Smith secured his first WSOP bracelet in June 2010 by winning a $2,500 Limit/No Limit Hold’em event at the 41st WSOP, earning $268,238. 

His most recent tournament participation was in July 2017 at the 48th WSOP, where he finished 612th in a $10,000 No Limit Hold ’em Main Event, pocketing $20,411.

Conclusion

Gavin Smith was not just a remarkable poker player; he was a larger-than-life character whose warmth and humor drew people in. His legacy lives on through the memories shared by friends and fans, reminding us of all that beyond the cards and the cash, it’s the connections we make that truly matter.