Jerry Buss Goes Pro

77-year old Jerry Buss, who happens to own the Los Angeles Lakers in the way you and me would own a watch or a bottle of cologne (a very profitable watch or a bottle of cologne that is), decided to become a poker pro recently. Money could definitely not have been a motivation, because dear Jerry is a billionaire, after all. Billions, I’m telling you, billions!!! Well, at least Doyle has some companionship of age in the poker circuit now.

But before you dismiss Jerry as just a billionaire looking for excitement in his life, and therefore probably a fish in the games, think again. A gifted mind, Jerry has earned a Master of Science and a PH. D. in Chemistry at the age of just 24. Jerry placed 3rd in a 1991 WSOP 7-Card Stud event for a bracelet. To date, Jerry has won just a bit north of $150,000 in his tourney poker endeavors. Peas in a pod for him, but very significant money for common folk like you and me.

Jerry is no cash game slouch either, since he has also appeared on numerous episodes of NBC’s Poker After Dark and GSN’s High Stakes Poker. In High Stakes Poker in particular, he was part of the original lineup of players. And he has been a very tough opponent in the games, not exactly someone the other regulars such as Doyle Brunson, Gus Hansen, Phil Ivey, Patrik Antonius, David Benyamine, Antionio Esfandiari and Phil Laak among many are looking forward to sit at the table with.

You have to understand just how much of a poker aficionado Jerry is that he could have made this decision. Under his direction, his NBA team has been very successful. He has employed many hall of famers over the years, including Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, James Worthy and also none other than The Shaq himself. And the team has brought home a ton of titles, possibly rivaled only by the Boston Celtics and the Chicago Bulls. The Lakers are pretty much known worldwide. He has also at times been owner or part owner of several other professional teams such as the Los Angeles Lazers, World Team Tennis, Los Angeles Kings, and also the Los Angeles Sparks.

While his current LA Lakers, under the lead of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom were taking down a championship in Staples Center last year, he was seated at a table in the Bicycle Casino playing poker. The guy loves the game, and now he will dedicate himself full time to it.

It’s so great being a billionaire, and Jerry definitely does good deeds with his money. For example in January of 2008, Jerry donated about $7,500,000 to the USC Dept. of Chemistry to fund a couple of endowed chairs and a full scholarship fund for chemistry grad students. Yo Jerry, can you take me in your private jet to the next WSOP Main Event? Stake me please?

I also wonder if Jerry will be dishing out the terror on us online or if it will be a strictly live thing.

Oh, and readers, please don’t hate, instead appreciate. The guy is living the life, enjoying it to the fullest. Best of luck Jerry, go and pwn those donks!