Three in a row just wasn't meant to be for the Jungleman.
One of the most impressive accomplishments a poker player can achieve is winning the $50,000 Poker Players Championship at the World Series of Poker.
The event features nine games over the course of five days with deep starting stacks and 100-minute levels. It's a true test of endurance, skill, and mastery of multiple games. Winning it once is something to be proud of forever.
Daniel "Jungleman" Cates won in back-to-back years in 2021 and 2022. Coming into this year, he sought out bets on himself to go for the unheard-of three-peat.
Year three was not meant to be
The man they call "Jungleman" has been known to show up in costume and full character for these marquee events. This year was no different.
In a preview posted to his Twitter account a few days before the event, Cates revealed his plan to show up as the Terminator in search of PPC bracelet number 3. And show up he did.
Unfortunately for him, the classic movie line of "I'll be back" could only mean one thing: Cates would not be winning this year.
"I guess if you think about it, if I didn't bust as the Terminator I couldn't use the punchline 'I'll be back," said Cates.
The quest for three in a row was a glorious and ambitious endeavor. Cates fell short of it this time, but I'm sure he will indeed be back to give it another go.
The future has not been written, Dan. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves. Hasta la vista, baby.
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