On the 2023 World Collection of Poker, poker participant Cody Daniels impressed the poker group along with his power and willpower when taking over Poker’s World Championship whereas battling a terminal sickness.
This summer time, the Lake Havasu Metropolis native returned to the WSOP, first enjoying Occasion #70: $400 Colossus earlier than hopping into the record-breaking 2024 WSOP Most important Occasion. Daniels managed to navigate the bubble, which burst earlier within the afternoon, and at present sits with a stack of 300,000 (25 huge blinds) on the midway level of Day 4.
Within the midst of his pursuit of the WSOP Most important Occasion bracelet and the $10 million first-place prize, PokerNews caught up with the 29-year-old. Daniels shared his experiences, feelings, and the extraordinary help he is obtained all through his journey.
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Daniels’ pleasure was palpable when he booked his second consecutive money within the Most important Occasion.
“I imply, after I did not anticipate to be right here this 12 months and even play the event after which go back-to-back within the two largest Mains of all time, it is simply pure elation,” he stated.
Regardless of his bodily struggles, the adrenaline and pleasure have fueled his performances. “I am feeling fairly rubbish, nevertheless it’s simply adrenaline, and I assume my engine runs nicely on empty, so it is thrilling.”
This 12 months, Daniels’ participation within the Most important Occasion was made doable by the generosity of poker professional Alan Keating.
“Keating and I’ve been involved for a couple of 12 months and a half, simply ready to finish up in the identical metropolis to fulfill up. After I busted the Colossus, he requested if I wished to come back to the Aria. I went to the Aria; he was there and determined to purchase me in. So it was extraordinarily beneficiant.”
Though there was an association connected to the buy-in, Daniels emphasised the kindness he skilled. “Yeah, [there is a deal arrangement], however they have been tremendous beneficiant with it.”
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Dwelling with a Terminal Sickness
Daniels opened up about his well being struggles, which started when he was simply 14.
“My small gut ruptured, and I by no means had even the flu up till that time. I used to be fully wholesome, and I simply awakened one evening with horrible ache in my abdomen.”
After spending six consecutive years in Phoenix Kids’s Hospital, his day-to-day life now includes spending most of his time in mattress.
“I had 5 months within the hospital just lately, and day-to-day, I am in mattress 22 to 24 hours a day. That is simply how it’s, sadly. I really feel greatest after I’m in mattress, however on the similar time, it isn’t wholesome both.”
Regardless of his sickness, Daniels has a decided morning routine. “My mum wakes me up. She’s the last word railbird; she wakes me up at 10 a.m., and that is normally after I really feel the worst as a result of I get fed by the tube at evening, so I get up form of nauseous.”
His dedication to enjoying poker is obvious as he described a very difficult morning throughout preparations for Day 4 of the event.
“I awakened in the course of the evening and stated, ‘Wow, we have to get the IV nurse in right here and get a liter to regenerate me.’ So we awakened additional early. They got here right here and received it carried out after 5 IV makes an attempt.”
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A Memorable Make-A-Want Expertise
Daniels additionally mirrored on his unforgettable Make-A-Want expertise, the place he selected to fulfill President Barack Obama.
“I used to be a bit older. So I, you already know, I did not say I am gonna go to Disney World. I received accepted proper earlier than the deadline, my 18th birthday, and that was the want.”
Regardless of being on a ready record for 3 years, the expertise was price it.
“Obtained to play the presidential piano, bowling in Truman’s bowling alley within the basement, and the ultimate cease was to fulfill him within the Oval Workplace. He was wonderful, the best president ever. He gave me a card protector along with his title on it. Effectively, it became a card protector, and I’ve used it for each hand I’ve performed since October 2015.”
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The Idiot’s Gold Story
Considered one of Daniels’ most touching tales from final 12 months concerned a bit of pyrite, aka idiot’s gold.
Whoever knocked Daniels out would obtain the mineral, with Daniels hoping it could discover its technique to the ultimate desk after which to the eventual champion.
“I had a plan for a very long time. The rock meant quite a bit to me. Once I arrived on the town, I received it blessed at this store in a therapeutic bowl.
“If I busted early, I knew it would not make it to the winner. And if it did, it must undergo like 20 individuals. So the truth that I made it to Day 4 and it went by solely 5 individuals was astonishing.”
The idiot’s gold, which Daniels had blessed in a therapeutic bowl, turned out to be a fortunate appeal and propelled him to a 635th place end, good for a rating of $30,500. And the piece of pyrite has since been immortalised in poker historical past because it discovered its means into 2023 Most important Occasion champion Daniel Weinman winner’s image, which at present hangs contained in the Horseshoe Occasions Centre.
A Poker Bucket Listing Achieved and Dream Opponent
One other dream got here true for Daniels when he performed on the PokerGO Studio in January 2024. Within the opening occasion of the PokerGO Cup, Daniels made it to the ultimate desk, the place he bowed out in sixth place for $27,750 after taking over a few of the world’s greatest poker gamers.
“I actually wished to play as soon as within the PokerGO Studio. That is it. And so I noticed the 5K, and I offered a variety of motion however I simply wished to play. It provides me goosebumps fascinated with it as a result of I ended up last tabling and took a foul beat. However I walked out with a smile on my face, like, what an expertise.”
And, when requested about who his dream opponent can be ought to he make it to heads-up within the Most important Occasion, Daniels picked a poker legend.
“Let’s go along with Tom Dwan. We have been sharing our chip stack the entire event.”
Daniels and Dwan are each nonetheless in competition, with the latter hovering across the million chip mark. Whereas the Most important Occasion remains to be miles away from the ultimate desk, there’s each chance that Daniels might tick off one other merchandise on his poker bucket record.
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Editor & Dwell Reporter
Calum has written for varied poker retailers however discovered his dwelling at PokerNews, the place he has contributed to varied articles and stay updates, offering insights and reporting on main poker occasions, together with the World Collection of Poker (WSOP).
