Career
Smith was a staple at the World Series of Poker during the 1980s. He was involved in three final tables of the main event. His total tournament winnings exceeded $1,000,000.
His three cashes at the WSOP accounted for $788,800 of his lifetime winnings. Smith would often play professional poker tournaments drunk. By all accounts, he was an alcoholic.
According to fellow poker player T.J. Cloutier, Smith did not play well when he was sober and when he was totally drunk. “Bill was the tightest player you'd ever played in your life when he was sober. No one could read opponents’ hands better than half- drunk Smith.
But when he got past that halfway mark, he was the worst player I'd ever played with.”
After he started drinking, he accumulated a huge pile of chips by well-timed aggressive play. He had so many chips once he was totally drunk that good luck got him through to the finish line.