Remembering Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott: Poker's One-of-a-Kind Icon

When people talk about poker legends, most conversations eventually circle back to one name—Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott. Known for his sharp wit, sharper suits and fearless playing style, Dave wasn't just a great poker player—he was poker.

An excellent article by iGamingExpert, titled "Dave' Devilfish' Ulliott: The Life and Legacy of a Poker Icon", dives deep into his life, career, and impact on the game. If you're new to Dave or want to revisit why his legacy still resonates, here's a quick summary.

1. A Self-Made Star in the Poker Boom Era

Dave came up the hard way—playing backroom games, taking risks, and building a name in an industry that wasn't always welcoming. His rise mirrored the explosion of televised poker, and he made the most of the spotlight.

2. More Than a Showman

Yes, he wore flashy clothes and had a flair for drama, but Dave was never just an act. He was an elite-level strategist who understood how to read a table like few others. His personality got him noticed, but his skill kept him winning.

3. A Voice for the Players

He didn't hold back his views on the game, the industry, or how poker evolved. Dave was passionate about protecting poker's integrity and ensuring it stayed true to its roots: skill, guts, and character.

4. A Legacy That Still Inspires

Years after his passing, Dave's legacy lives on—not just in highlight reels and Hall of Fame nominations but also in the values many of us still hold dear—authenticity, courage, and the belief that poker is for the players.

At Devilfish, we don't just share his name—we share his mission. We believe the next era of poker should be built on those same values: player-first, skill-based, and community-driven.

A big thank you to iGamingExpert for capturing Dave's story so powerfully. You can read the full article below:

To mark the beginning of iGaming Expert’s collaboration with Devilfish Poker, the free-to-play poker experience’s Founder JJ Williams tells the story of the man who inspired the brand. This article was first published on 1st April 2025.

Poker isn’t just a game – it’s a culture, a way of life, and, for some, a legacy. Few players in the game’s history have left as deep a mark as Dave ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott. Born on April 1, 1954, in Hull, England, Dave wasn’t just a poker player; he was a pioneer, an entertainer, and one of the first authentic influencers in poker – long before the term “influencer” became fashionable.

At Devilfish, we don’t just carry his name – we have his spirit. Our mission is to build the next-generation free-to-play social poker experience and movement – decentralized, skill-driven, and designed for players who, like Dave, want more than just a seat at the table.

Today, we celebrate the life, the wins, and the unforgettable presence of a man who transformed poker into a global phenomenon.

A gritty rise to poker stardom

Dave Ulliott’s poker journey was not a typical one of privilege or early success. It was a unique battle played with grit, wit, and unbreakable confidence. He honed his skills in the rough-and-tumble poker games of Hull, playing in backrooms and pubs where every hand was as much about survival as it was about skill.

But Dave wasn’t just another player grinding through the underground scene – he was a natural-born gambler with a sharp mind and a fearless attitude. His talent started to gain recognition in 1993, when he won his first major tournament, a victory that marked the beginning of his rise to poker stardom and changed the course of his career.

How ‘Devilfish’ was born

Every legend needs a name, and Dave Ulliott’s would come in the most fitting of ways – at the poker table.

During a high-stakes poker game in Las Vegas, Dave faced a group of Chinese players who were fascinated and frustrated by his aggressive, no-nonsense style of play. After a particularly tough loss, one of them leaned back and bestowed upon him the moniker ‘Devilfish’ – a name inspired by the deadly poisonous pufferfish known in Asia for its deceptive nature and lethal sting.

The name stuck, and Dave Ulliott became ‘Devilfish’, a moniker that would define him for the rest of his career.

It was the perfect fit. He was cool under pressure, unpredictable in play, and deadly when the stakes were high. The Devilfish wasn’t just a poker player – he was a showman, an entertainer, and a man who understood that poker was as much about personality as it was about skill.

WSOP glory & poker’s first influencer

By the late 1990s, poker was undergoing a transformation. Television and the internet were starting to bring the game into the mainstream, and Dave was ready for his moment.

In 1997, he made his mark on the world’s biggest poker stage – the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas. Here, he won his first WSOP bracelet in the $2,000 Pot-Limit Hold ’em event, cementing his status as one of the best players in the world.

The victory was more than just a win – it was a statement. Devilfish had arrived, and he wasn’t going anywhere. He became one of the first poker players to embrace the power of media, the internet, and the growing poker boom, a trend that he significantly influenced and shaped.

Dave was already an influencer before social media, Twitch streamers, and poker vloggers. He appeared on televised poker shows, gave interviews with his signature wit, and created a persona that players and fans admired.

A legacy that lives on

Devilfish wasn’t just a poker player – he was a rockstar in a world of card sharks.

• He played with the best and beat the best.

• He entertained millions with his humour, confidence, and larger-than-life personality.

• He helped shape modern poker, making it more than just a game but a spectacle.

Even after his passing in 2015, his legacy continues to inspire new generations of players. At Devilfish, we carry his fearless attitude, passion for the game, and belief that poker should be a battle of minds, not just bankrolls.

Our mission is to build a next-generation free-2-play social poker experience, built around a community that reflects his love for the game, skill-driven mindset, and relentless pursuit of greatness.

Join the legacy

Dave ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott played poker with swagger, skill, and soul. He didn’t just play the game – he lived, owned, and changed it forever.

As we continue to build Devilfish, we invite you to join us on this journey to build a free-2-play social poker experience and movement. Play bold, play smart, play the Devilfish way.

Legends never fold. To our friend Dave ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott