Poker Community Mourns Sad Loss Of Alan Meltzer

Tributes have been pouring in from the poker community after the sad news of  Alan Meltzer‘s passing at the weekend, aged 67.
The wealthy music executive (pictured bottom right) was the founder of Wind-up Entertainment, Inc, the largest independently-owned record label in the world. He also had a passion for playing poker and was a regular at Las Vegas’ high-stakes cash games.
Although less well known amongst the general public, Alan Meltzer was a known quantity at the nosebleed stakes in Vegas, where he would often organise cash games consisting of three wealthy amateurs and five pros. Consequently, whenever Alan Meltzer was in town, many top pros, such as Sammy Farha and David Williams, would drop everything and vie for a seat at his table.
Whether, organising his ‘Baby Big Game’ of $2k/$4k cash-poker or playing blackjack for $15k a hand, the entrepreneur was a huge name throughout gambling world, and even appeared on High Stakes Poker alongside players such as Tom Dwan, Doyle Brunson, Phil Laak and Eli Elezra.
Although considered a recreational amateur, the self-described “action player” pointed out that he was far from a fish and explained:
“I have a job, but I also play poker 30 hours a week. I spend more time at poker than I do at my job. Does that make me a professional? I don’t know. And I don’t care. I just want to play.”
Condolences go out to his wife Diana for her loss, and following the sad news, many poker pros have been paying tribute to Alan Meltzer via twitter. Here are some of those tributes:
David “Viffer” Peat
“It was just his time. Rest in peace Allen Meltzer you made so many people’s life more enjoyable and really made me a better person, you will be missed.”
Dan Fleyshman
“One of my business mentors passed away, he owned largest independent record label in the world. Alan Meltzer loved poker & charity #Rip.”
Andrew Robl
“RIP Alan Meltzer, you were one of the greatest people I’ve ever known. Such a big heart. You will be missed.”