Poker Player Suffers Apparent Heart Attack, Then Returns for WSOP Main Event Day 5
Adam Rude had a rude awakening in the shower after bagging Day 4 of the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event when a health issue landed him in the hospital.
Hours later, however, the poker player was back in action competing for $10 million on Day 5 of poker's most prestigious event. But some players at the table were critical of his decision to play instead of resting.
"I am getting a little negative feedback at the table," Rude told PokerNews on the first Day 5 break. "One guy is a little outspoken that I shouldn't be here. The reason I'm here — the only reason I'm here is because I have two boys, and I want to give them $10 million."
Poker Player's Health a Concern
Rude explained that he has a defibrillator, a device that applies an electric charge to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat, that went off in the shower Thursday morning.
"So, I went to the hospital and it was registering as a heart attack," he said. "So, I mean, they didn't see any damage, they did what they could do. They got my vitals, everything, looking good. And they gave me some strong medicines to get me through today."
Despite being told by doctors he had suffered a heart attack, Rude doesn't believe that was the case. He did, however, say he was "feeling tired" at the time of the interview, but that he's confident he can make it through the day safely.
"I woke up shivering, I just had the chills, and I decided to get in the shower to heat up because I thought I was cold, and then I was just standing, and then I woke up and I was on the ground like this," he said as he imitated a collapsing motion. "Again, the hospital said it registered as a heart attack, but I don't think it was a heart attack."
Rude went on to explain that in 2014 he "got a virus that was very similar to COVID" that attacks the liver and the heart. Through treatment, his liver condition improved, but he's still had some issues with his heart, hence why he has a defibrillator.
The poker player arrived for Day 5 in the middle of the two-hour level. He began the session with under 20 big blinds but quickly found a double-up with pocket aces against ace-rag. He's no stranger to running deep in the Main Event as he finished in 117th place, busting late on Day 5, in 2018.
At the time of publishing, 360 of the record-setting 10,112 players were still standing. Rude had a guaranteed minimum payout of $40,000. But he's looking to make a bunch more to give to his two sons.
Phil Ivey, Adrian Mateos, and Tony Dunst were among the big names remaining in the world championship event. Poker fans can follow Rude's run in the Main Event with PokerNews live reporting coverage.
Follow PokerNews Main Event Live Coverage
