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Daniel 'jungleman12' Cates: The Rise of a Poker Prodigy
StrategyMarch 28, 2011·1 min read

Daniel 'jungleman12' Cates: The Rise of a Poker Prodigy


Daniel 'jungleman12' Cates is a 21-year-old multi-millionaire who made his fortune through poker. Born on November 14, 1989, in Beltsville, Virginia, and grew up in Bowie, Maryland, Cates was a former economics/IT student and a champion of Bubble Trouble. Cates used statistical analysis to determine his opponent's bluffing in a poker game. He won over $30,000 in a single poker hand.

Cates lost around $1 million to $1.2 million to Gaс Hansen in PLO over a few days. Cates spent much of his childhood playing computer games in his parents' basement. Cates started playing live poker in his first year of college. He lost several thousand dollars in his first three months of playing poker. Cates worked at McDonald's to pay off his poker debts.

Despite early setbacks, Cates' dedication and skill paid off. He won $5.5 million in 2010 through online poker, making him one of the youngest poker millionaires. His journey from a former economics/IT student to a poker champion is a testament to his hard work and strategic thinking.

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Argus Riven

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Argus Riven

I've spent years at the tables — cash and tournaments — and just as long shaping poker copy behind the scenes: room reviews, bonus fine print, tournament notes. At PokerInsider I write the way I wish more sites would: clear structure, honest trade-offs, no hype. Whether you're new or already grinding, I care about what the offer actually costs you — rake, variance, and the fine print — and I treat responsible play as part of the job, not a footnote.

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