Thayer Rasmussen, also known as “THAY3R” in the online poker world, was one of the most influential and successful players of his generation. He passed away at the age of 39 on April 2, 2023, according to a statement from his family shared by his friend and fellow poker pro Shaun Deeb on Twitter. The cause of his death was not disclosed by his family, who asked for privacy and respect in this difficult time.
A Grinder and a Contributor
Rasmussen started playing online poker in the mid-2000s and quickly rose to prominence as one of the best tournament players in the world. He won a World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) title in 2015, along with many other prestigious online events. He also amassed over $1.67 million in live tournament winnings, including a career-best $356,620 score for a fourth-place finish in a World Series of Poker (WSOP) Monster Stack event in 2015. He cashed in 86 WSOP events, both live and online, between 2006 and 2022.
But Rasmussen was not only a winner, he was also a mentor and a friend to many other players. He was a well-known contributor on the Two Plus Two forum, where he shared his insights and strategies with the poker community. He was also part of the MTT stable “Waffle Crush”, which included some of the best online players of his era, such as Shaun Deeb, who credited Rasmussen for his guidance and motivation.
“He Was a Real One”
Rasmussen’s passing was met with an outpouring of grief and condolences from the poker community, who remembered him as a genuine, generous, and intelligent person. Many of his friends and peers expressed their admiration and gratitude for Rasmussen, who touched their lives in various ways.
Deeb, who called Rasmussen his “first poker friend”, said that he “was lucky in 2021 to drive to Jersey and grind the online event at his house and it was like no time passed.” He also described Rasmussen as “the waffle to my crush” and said that he “wouldn’t have been as successful in poker without his guidance, his supersystem and our prop bets to motivate each other.”
Bryan Paris, another longtime online grinder, tweeted that Rasmussen’s death was “depressing” and that he “was one of my favorite people to talk strategy with back in the day.” He added that Rasmussen “was a real one.”
Rasmussen’s family thanked everyone who was part of his happiness and said that they were “deeply saddened” by his loss. They also said that Rasmussen had “the biggest heart” and that he cared for them and his friends immensely.
Thayer Rasmussen’s cause of death may remain unknown, but his legacy as an online poker legend will live on. He will be missed by many who knew him personally or through his screen name. He was a pioneer, a champion, and a friend. Rest in peace, Thayer.
