Bobby Hoff

Bobby "The Wizard" Hoff (born in Victoria, Texas) is an American professional poker player, based in Long Beach, California. According to Hoff, his nickname "The Wizard" refers to his ability to make mountains of chips disappear. In 1958, Hoff studied at the University of Texas on an athletics scholarship, where he frequently played golf from a scratch handicap. Hoff learned poker in Las Vegas three years after graduating. He worked as a poker dealer and played regularly during his off time. He took up blackjack after reading the book Beat the Dealer by Edward O. Thorp and became a skilled player; however, he often got drunk and lost his winnings. He joined a blackjack team and played regularly for five years. Eventually he was banned...