Bob Stupak
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| Bob Stupak | |
|---|---|
 Stupak at the 2004 Plaza Ultimate Poker Challenge. |
|
| Nickname(s) | The Polish Maverick |
| Hometown | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Bracelet(s) | 1 |
| Money finishes | 8 |
| Highest ITM main event finish |
None |
| World Poker Tour | |
| Titles | None |
| Final tables | 1 |
| Money finishes | 11 |
Bob Stupak (born April 6, 1942 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a Las Vegas casino owner and entrepreneur. He is the son of Chester Stupak, a man who operated the longest running floating craps game in Pittsburgh.
Once the younger Stupak reached legal age, he moved to Vegas and started a coupon book venture. He sold books full of two-for-ones and other items. Stupak later moved to Australia to pursue a similar business venture, only to be asked to leave the country for questionable business practices.
While in Australia, Stupak was briefly married to Annette Suna, and they had a daughter, Nicole. From 1971 to 1985, Stupak was married to Sandra Joyce Wilkinson, and had two more children, Nevada and Summer.
Stupak moved to Las Vegas in 1971, eventually raising enough money to acquire a small, 1.5 acre (6,000 m²) parcel north of Sahara Avenue at Las Vegas Boulevard South. On March 31, 1974, Bob Stupak's World Famous Historic Gambling Museum opened for business. "The name was about 10 feet longer than the casino," Stupak recalled years later. On May 21, an air conditioner caught fire and burned the building down. Arson was suspected, but the insurance company eventually settled the claim.
In 1979 Stupak opened Vegas World, a casino known for its promotions and new twists on games. At its peak in the mid 1980's, Vegas World grossed $100 million per year.
In 1989, Stupak won a widely publicized million dollar wager on Super Bowl XXIII. Later that year, he won the Deuce to Seven Lowball championship bracelet at the World Series of Poker.
In 1995 Stupak suffered a motorcycle accident, breaking every bone in his face and going into a coma. Although the initial prognosis was that he would not survive, Stupak made a full recovery.
At the time of his motorcycle crash, Stupak was at work developing The Stratosphere, a massive observation tower that would be the largest sign in Las Vegas. The tower opened in late April 1996 at a cost of $550 million but was a financial disaster. Many came to see the tower, but few stopped long enough to gamble, dine or shop. The Stratosphere went bankrupt soon thereafter, was sold, and is now profitable.
Stupak continues to plan Vegas projects, including a purchase of the Moulin Rouge Hotel and a huge hotel shaped like the RMS Titanic, but these endeavors have not borne fruit.
Stupak appeared in the first season of the GSN series High Stakes Poker. He also appeared at a final table during the first season of the World Poker Tour.
Stupak is nicknamed "The Mayor" because of unsuccessful campaigns for the office of mayor of Las Vegas in 1983 and 1987. Locals have also nicknamed him "Bob Stupid" for his many zany business failures.
As of 2008, his total live tournament winnings exceed $865,000
[edit] Campaign for Lieutenant Governor
On May 1, 2006, Stupak unexpectedly filed to run as a Democrat for Lieutenant Governor of Nevada. [1] Also running were Republican Treasurer Brian Krolicki and Stupak's former girlfriend and former Las Vegas City Councilwoman Janet Moncrief who was originally a Democrat but ran as a Republican. On November 7, Krolicki was elected to the post, with Stupak placing third with 17% of the vote.
[edit] Further reading
- Smith, John L. 1997. No Limit: The Rise and Fall of Bob Stupak and Las Vegas' Stratosphere Tower. Huntington Press. ISBN 0-929712-18-8
