Grateful Dead Lawyer and Former WSOP Champion Dies at 77

Hal Kant, the lawyer for the band the Grateful Dead died on Oct 19th after a battle with Cancer. He was 77. He handed the Grateful Dead’s rise in the music industry and handled all of their individual property rights. He was referred to as “Czar” by the late Jerry Garcia. Garcia’s estate still receives Millions a year from proceeds from albums and the estate receives money for every pint of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream sold. In addition to the Grateful Dead his clients included Janis Joplin, Sonny & Cher, the Association, Stevie Ray Vaughn, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Hot Tuna and Captain Beefheart.

Kant was not only a lawyer but also an accomplished poker player as well. He won the $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha event at the World Series of Poker in 1987 for his first and only bracelet. Member of the Grateful Dead were in the audience cheering him on when he won the bracelet. He would finish runner up in the 1990 $2,500 Limit Holdem Event, and the 1994 $2,500 No Limit Event. He also finished in the money of the 1995, 1996, and 1999 Main Event. He had 12 WSOP cashes which included 7 final tables. He also had numerous cashes and final tables finishes in other events around the country. He several victories in smaller events with his two largest non WSOP wins coming in preliminary events at the 1992 Winning ‘O’ the Green in Los Angeles, and the 1996 United States Poker Championship in Atlantic City.

Although Kant was very successful at the tables, he was still considered an amateur player since his primary business was representing musicians. He finished his “poker career” with over $1.1 Million in lifetime tournament winnings. This “amateur” has a better overall career than many professionals from that era. It just goes to show you that some of the best card players are not always professional players.

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