Before becoming a poker professional, Roberts was a rounder and traveled the country looking for games with Doyle Brunson and Amarillo Slim.

[3] Roberts participated in the first World Series of Poker in 1970 along with Amarillo Slim, Doyle Brunson, Johnny Moss, Puggy Pearson, Crandell Addington, and Carl Cannon.

[4] Roberts won his first WSOP bracelet at the 1974 World Series of Poker in the $5,000 Deuce to Seven Draw event.

[2] He won the 1975 World Series of Poker Main Event, gaining his second and final WSOP bracelet and $210,000.

[5] Roberts earned his nickname "Sailor" for having served in the United States Navy during the Korean War.