Cody Daniels' Unstoppable Spirit Shines in WSOP Main Event Despite Terminal Illness
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At the 2023 World Series of Poker, poker player Cody Daniels inspired the poker community with his strength and determination when taking on Poker's World Championship while battling a terminal illness.
This summer, the Lake Havasu City native returned to the WSOP, first playing Event #70: $400 Colossus before hopping into the record-breaking 2024 WSOP Main Event. Daniels managed to navigate the bubble, which burst earlier in the afternoon, and currently sits with a stack of 300,000 (25 big blinds) at the halfway point of Day 4.
In the midst of his pursuit of the WSOP Main Event bracelet and the $10 million first-place prize, PokerNews caught up with the 29-year-old. Daniels shared his experiences, emotions, and the extraordinary support he's received throughout his journey.
Back-to-Back Cashes in the Biggest WSOP Mains
Daniels' excitement was palpable when he booked his second consecutive cash in the Main Event.
"I mean, when I didn't expect to be here this year or even play the tournament and then go back-to-back in the two biggest Mains of all time, it's just pure elation," he said.
Despite his physical struggles, the adrenaline and excitement have fueled his performances. "I'm feeling pretty garbage, but it's just adrenaline, and I guess my engine runs well on empty, so it's exciting."
This year, Daniels' participation in the Main Event was made possible by the generosity of poker pro Alan Keating.
"Keating and I have been in contact for about a year and a half, just waiting to end up in the same city to meet up. After I busted the Colossus, he asked if I wanted to come to the Aria. I went to the Aria; he was there and decided to buy me in. So it was extremely generous."
Although there was an arrangement attached to the buy-in, Daniels emphasized the kindness he experienced. "Yeah, [there is a deal arrangement], but they've been super generous with it."
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Living with a Terminal Illness
Daniels opened up about his health struggles, which began when he was just 14.
"My small intestine ruptured, and I never had even the flu up until that point. I was completely healthy, and I just woke up one night with horrible pain in my stomach."
After spending six consecutive years in Phoenix Children's Hospital, his day-to-day life now involves spending most of his time in bed.
"I had five months in the hospital recently, and day-to-day, I'm in bed 22 to 24 hours a day. That's just how it is, unfortunately. I feel best when I'm in bed, but at the same time, it's not healthy either."
Despite his illness, Daniels has a determined morning routine. "My mum wakes me up. She's the ultimate railbird; she wakes me up at 10 a.m., and that's usually when I feel the worst because I get fed through the tube at night, so I wake up kind of nauseous."
His commitment to playing poker is evident as he described a particularly challenging morning during preparations for Day 4 of the tournament.
"I woke up in the middle of the night and said, 'Wow, we need to get the IV nurse in here and get a liter to regenerate me.' So we woke up extra early. They came here and got it done after five IV attempts."
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A Memorable Make-A-Wish Experience
Daniels also reflected on his unforgettable Make-A-Wish experience, where he chose to meet President Barack Obama.
"I was a little older. So I, you know, I didn't say I'm gonna go to Disney World. I got approved right before the deadline, my 18th birthday, and that was the wish."
Despite being on a waiting list for three years, the experience was worth it.
"Got to play the presidential piano, bowling in Truman's bowling alley in the basement, and the final stop was to meet him in the Oval Office. He was amazing, the coolest president ever. He gave me a card protector with his name on it. Well, it turned into a card protector, and I’ve used it for every hand I've played since October 2015."
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The Fool’s Gold Story
One of Daniels' most touching stories from last year involved a piece of pyrite, aka fool's gold.
Whoever knocked Daniels out would receive the mineral, with Daniels hoping it would find its way to the final table and then to the eventual champion.
"I had a plan for a long time. The rock meant a lot to me. When I arrived in town, I got it blessed at this shop in a healing bowl.
"If I busted early, I knew it wouldn't make it to the winner. And if it did, it would have to go through like 20 people. So the fact that I made it to Day 4 and it went through only five people was astonishing."
The fool's gold, which Daniels had blessed in a healing bowl, turned out to be a lucky charm and propelled him to a 635th place finish, good for a score of $30,500. And the piece of pyrite has since been immortalised in poker history as it found its way into 2023 Main Event champion Daniel Weinman winner's picture, which currently hangs inside the Horseshoe Events Centre.
A Poker Bucket List Achieved and Dream Opponent
Another dream came true for Daniels when he played at the PokerGO Studio in January 2024. In the opening event of the PokerGO Cup, Daniels made it to the final table, where he bowed out in sixth place for $27,750 after taking on some of the world's best poker players.
"I really wanted to play once in the PokerGO Studio. That's it. And so I saw the 5K, and I sold a lot of action but I just wanted to play. It gives me goosebumps thinking about it because I ended up final tabling and took a bad beat. But I walked out with a smile on my face, like, what an experience."
And, when asked about who his dream opponent would be should he make it to heads-up in the Main Event, Daniels picked a poker legend.
"Let's go with Tom Dwan. We've been sharing our chip stack the whole tournament."
Daniels and Dwan are both still in contention, with the latter hovering around the million chip mark. While the Main Event is still miles away from the final table, there's every possibility that Daniels could tick off another item on his poker bucket list.
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