Matt Snook, who crossed off a bucket record merchandise of taking part in within the World Collection of Poker (WSOP) only one month in the past, handed away after a year-long battle with most cancers.
The Kansas Metropolis resident and two-time “The Voice” contestant served as an inspiration when he entered the 2024 WSOP Primary Occasion in July. He was not solely terminally sick on the time, however wasn’t feeling very effectively when he sat right down to play. PokerNews caught up with him for a chat earlier than the Day 1d session started, and he defined why he traveled midway throughout the nation to play within the largest buy-in match of his life.
“I had some pals get collectively, they usually mainly helped me out,” Snook mentioned of getting into the world championship occasion. “It is the best match on this planet, and I find it irresistible.”
A True Inspiration
Snook, a rustic music singer, mentioned final month that he was “identified with a uncommon type of kidney most cancers January third,” and referred to his look within the Primary Occasion as his “final hoorah.” He knew he had restricted time attributable to his battle with sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (sRCC), a uncommon, aggressive type of kidney most cancers that may have an effect on different components of the physique. However he was nonetheless in good spirits getting into the $10,000 buy-in match.
“I’ve lived such a blessed life, I really feel good at the moment, had a tricky night time final night time, and I am planning on making an attempt to work by means of what I’ve started working by means of,” he mentioned. “Poker gamers know that poker is a grind and life is a grind. However I do not need anyone feeling sorry for me. I do not need any empathy. I’ve simply lived a blessed life and I am glad to be right here.”
Snook mentioned these together with his sickness sometimes reside for 6-12 months, however he believed he turned sick a couple of months earlier than seeing a health care provider. The musician who appeared on Season 8 of “The Voice,” a singing actuality tv competitors present, was largely a money recreation participant in Kansas Metropolis. However he additionally loved tournaments now and again, and had a ardour for the RunGood Poker Collection (RGPS).
His most up-to-date match money got here in April, a twenty ninth place end within the RGPS Council Bluffs Primary Occasion. The poker fanatic determined prior to now couple of months to cease treating his sickness as he started to understand the treatment wasn’t enhancing his situation. He as an alternative opted to reside out his remaining days to the fullest, which included competing in poker’s most prestigious match for the primary and final time.
Snook, who grew up in Camden Level, Missouri, is survived by his spouse and highschool sweetheart, Stephanie, and his two sons.
