Thayer Rasmussen, a poker professional who was known for his intelligence, kindness, and generosity has died.
Poker pro and longtime friend Shaun Deeb was asked by Rasmussen’s family to post a message confirming the 39 year-old’s death.
“Anyone who knew Thayer knows he was never one to wear his heart on his sleeve, but make no mistake, Thayer had the biggest heart and leaves behind love worthy of it,” the statement read. “The six of us knew every second how much he cared for us, but perhaps many of you did not know how much you meant to him. It wasn’t just stories we never thought we would hear, it was the way he tackled world issues or debated sports topics. Thayer’s been intelligent, almost to a frustrating degree, since he was a baby, but y’all helped mold him into the man he became.
All you want for someone you love is happiness, and we can confirm he brought that while we were lucky enough to have him with us. To anyone who was a part of that, thank you.”
I was asked to share a message from Thayer’s family that they asked me to post on their behalf pic.twitter.com/AgUDSQwOla
— shaun deeb (@shaundeeb) April 2, 2023
Rasmussen, who was part of the “Waffle Crush” group of players in the mid-2000s, played under the name “THAY3R” on PokerStars in the days before Black Friday shut down the industry in America.
He was also a prolific contributor on the poker forum Two Plus Two, consistently posting about poker for more than 15 years, and was given credit by Deeb and others of helping them understand the game at a deeper level and become winning players.
“He was the waffle to my crush my 1st poker friend wouldn’t have been as successful in poker without his guidance, his supersystem and our propbets to motivate each other. Was lucky in 2021 to drive to Jersey and grind the online event at his house and it was like no time passed,” Deeb wrote on Twitter.
Rasmussen won a 2015 PokerStars World Champion of Poker title online in a $530 buy-in event for $69,825. His best live cash came in 2014 at the World Series of Poker in a $1,500 event where he finished fifth for $356,620.
His last cash came when he final tabled a WSOP Online event last June, finishing sixth
He had nearly $1.7 million in lifetime tournament winnings and a respect from the poker community that is priceless.
A great influencer
Condolences from players and people Rasmussen influenced, supported, and befriended over the last two decades immediately poured in after the news broke.
I don’t normally get too personal on this account, but this was my older brother. He’s the reason I got into poker, the reason I think about sports+life how I do, & the reason I listen to the music I do. I’m devastated and don’t know how active I’ll be for awhile.
All the best https://t.co/z3C5qkyp3g
— Frank Barrett (@FrankBarrett119) April 2, 2023
So sad to hear of the passing of @THAY3R .
I nicknamed him "The Legend".
Always a great player to have at the table, and he had the respect and admiration of the entire poker community.
Rest in Peace. https://t.co/7uYYWMZGbp
— Allen Kessler (@AllenKessler) April 3, 2023
That’s terrible news but appreciate you sharing it. RIP to one of the OG’s of online poker and an always welcome presence on the table. We’ll miss you Thayer 😢
— TonyDunstTV (@tonydunsttv) April 2, 2023
Wtf I’m sick. He was always an incredible friend. So many of my greatest memories from college and poker have Thayer in them. RIP dear friend.
— GoldenBronny (@JustinAHertz) April 2, 2023
Matt Berkey, who is in the middle of a heads-up grudge match with Nik Airball, also took time to give his respects.
Breaking my silence to pay respects to the man @THAY3R. He was an absolute beast pre black Friday & always a pleasant presence to be around. Saddened to hear of his passing & I wish his friends and family the best moving forward.
— Matt Berkey (@berkey11) April 2, 2023
Hearing @THAY3R has passed, I haven’t seen him is a while but he was always such a nice guy in the events I saw him and said hello, such sad news. #RIPThayer
— Matt Savage (@SavagePoker) April 2, 2023
Really sad to hear of @THAY3R passing. My main memories of Thayer are from middle & high school where his account would take the last of my chips to bust my account again and again. Thay3r was one of the first accounts that I followed closely and aspired to one day (1/2)
— Daniel Zack (@Dan__Zack) April 2, 2023
CardsChat offers our own condolences to Rasmussen family members, friends, and fans.
