Belgian poker legend and former "November Nine" player Pierre Neuville has passed away at the age of 83.
Regional newsBelgian poker legend Pierre Neuville passed away at the age of 83 after a long battle with prostate cancer. He reached the final table of the 2015 WSOP Main Event, finished as runner-up in the EPT Main Event twice, and amassed over $3 million in career winnings. According to PokerNews, Neuville recently passed away at the age of 83 after a long battle with prostate cancer. In a social media post earlier this month, Neuville stated that he wanted to "live as long as possible." Neuville is best known for reaching the final table of the 2015 WSOP Main Event, finishing seventh and winning $1,203,293. The Belgian player also finished as runner-up in the European Poker Tour (EPT) Main Event twice, in 2009 and 2012. He also twice came close to winning a WSOP gold bracelet—finishing second in the 2014 $5,000 six-max event and the 2016 $1,500 six-max event. PokerNews extends its deepest condolences to Neuville's wife, Claudine, his friends, and family. Beyond Poker: Neuville was born on January 2, 1943, in Montignny-le-Tilleul, Belgium, a small town of only 10,205 people. He lived there his entire life. Neuville discovered poker in 1957 and played frequently while studying at the Free University of Brussels from 1963 to 1969. After graduating, Neuville designed a board game named after the famous cyclist Eddy Merckx. He then founded a toy company, which he sold to American toy giant Hasbro in 1982. Neuville served as vice president of Hasbro for the next decade. In 1993, as he embarked on a new path, Neuville began offering personal consulting services. Some of his notable clients included golfer Gary Player and Hollywood actor Kevin Costner. The Belgian retired completely in 2008. His illustrious poker career began in November 2007 when, according to The Hendon Mob's database, Neuville's first live tournament win came in November 2007, when he finished 31st in a €1,650 buy-in event in Namur, Belgium, according to the database.
