Poker has its legends, but few cast a longer shadow than Stu Ungar — the three-time World Series of Poker Main Event champion, whose genius and torment made him one of the most compelling figures the game has ever known.
Twenty-seven years after his passing, sleight-of-hand artist and deception expert Daniel Madison has collaborated with Ungar’s daughter, Stefanie Ungar, to honour that legacy through a new commemorative deck supporting The Ungar Center for Hope.
We sat down with Madison to discuss why this tribute means so much, what drew Madison personally to Ungar’s story, and how madison.cards approached celebrating a legend with the care and respect his memory deserves.
Q: Daniel, what first drew you to Stu Ungar’s story?
Stu Ungar was one of those rare people who played as if the cards were extensions of his own thoughts. When I first watched his interviews and studied his plays, I was struck by the way he carried both genius and self-destruction in the same breath.
He wasn’t just a poker player — he was a reflection of the human condition at its most brilliant and most fragile.
I recognised a lot of my own story in that. The obsession, the control, the price you pay for mastery. This project became a way to honour that, not from a poker player’s perspective, but from someone who’s spent his life studying sleight-of-hand and playing card psychology.
Q: How did the collaboration with Stefanie Ungar and The Ungar Center come about?
We reached out to Stefanie earlier this year with the idea of creating something that would not only honour her father’s memory but also help fund the incredible work she’s doing through The Ungar Center for Hope.
From the beginning, it was clear this had to be a tribute — not a product. Stefanie gave us her blessing to use Stu’s name, image, and likeness, and worked closely with us on the deck’s design and message. The project has always been about respect — for Stu, for his legacy, and for what Stefanie has built in his name.
Q: What does the Ungar Deck represent to you personally?
It’s a symbol of duality.
On one side, there’s brilliance, intuition, victory. On the other, there’s addiction, trauma, and loss. That tension lives in every card.
I’ve made a lot of decks in my life, but this one is different. It’s not just about design or handling; it’s about healing. Every deck sold helps someone else heal, through the work Stefanie’s doing at The Ungar Center. That connection makes this the most meaningful release I’ve ever been part of.
Q: Tell us about The Winning Hand — how does it connect to this project?
The Winning Hand was inspired by one of Stu’s most iconic moments — his final World Series of Poker victory in 1997. That hand is legendary. It was instinct and fair play at their peak.
I wanted to take that same hand and reinterpret it from my world — a world built on deception and sleight-of-hand. The video isn’t a reenactment of Stu’s play; it’s an exploration of control.
How far can a card mechanic push the illusion to recreate what a master poker player achieved through skill alone?
It’s a creative reflection — not a comparison. It’s my way of showing respect by studying the craft from another angle.
Q: How did Madison Cards ensure this project stayed authentic and respectful?
Every decision was made with integrity. Stefanie reviewed the designs, the copy, and the messaging personally. We wanted to make sure that the tone reflected who her father was — not just as a player, but as a man.
We also ensured that all donations are transparent and tied directly to The Ungar Center for Hope. This isn’t about profit; it’s about purpose.
Q: What do you hope people take away from this release?
That genius and pain often share the same space — and that from both, beauty can be created.
If someone picks up this deck and sees not just a great poker player, but a human being who lived with intensity, made mistakes, and still left behind something extraordinary — that’s enough.
And if this project helps even one person find hope through Stefanie’s work, then that’s the real win.
Q: Final thoughts?
We’re honoured to have been trusted with Stu’s legacy and to play even a small role in supporting Stefanie’s mission.
There will never be another Stu Ungar. But his story lives on — in every game, every player, and now, in every shuffle of this deck.
Attribution and Disclaimers:
Name, image, and likeness of Stu Ungar used with permission of Stefanie Ungar Campbell.
The Winning Hand is a separate creative release by Daniel Madison and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Stefanie Ungar Campbell or The Ungar Center for Hope.