Matt Snook, a singer who appeared on Season 8 of “The Voice,” was recognized with a uncommon type of kidney most cancers earlier this yr. On Saturday, he crossed off a bucket checklist merchandise by competing within the 2024 World Sequence of Poker (WSOP) Essential Occasion.
PokerNews spoke with the avid poker fanatic previous to the beginning of Day 1d. The Kansas Metropolis, Missouri space native has by no means performed in such a big buy-in match, however he does have fairly a little bit of match expertise, together with 12 Rungood Poker Sequence (RGPS) cashes since 2019.
“I had some mates get collectively, and so they mainly helped me out,” Snook stated of getting into the world championship occasion. “It is the best match on the earth, and I find it irresistible.”
Uncommon type of Most cancers
Snook says he is “extra of a money sport participant” than tournaments, however he does often get pleasure from mixing it up. Each participant within the Essential Occasion has a narrative to inform, however the musician has fairly a singular one.
“I bought recognized with a uncommon type of kidney most cancers January third, and that is in all probability going to be one in all my final hoorah’s to play a match,” Snook defined.
Regardless of his situation — he stated he was given 6-12 months to stay — he appeared in good spirits previous to the beginning of play. And he nonetheless has a constructive outlook on life.
“I’ve lived such a blessed life, I really feel good at this time, had a tricky evening final evening, and I am planning on making an attempt to work by way of what I’ve set to work by way of,” he stated. “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 stated he first started feeling sick in September 2023 earlier than his January most cancers prognosis. The poker participant has sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (sRCC), a uncommon, aggressive type of kidney most cancers that may have an effect on different components of the physique.
“It begins within the kidney and goes to the bones. I’ve it in all places,” he stated of his situation.
Snook, who was joined contained in the Paris ballroom by his supportive spouse, Stephanie, and mates, estimates the most cancers started near a yr in the past.
“I in all probability had it earlier than I knew I had it as a result of I wasn’t feeling too good again in September,” the poker participant stated. “However I do not fear about that.”
Snook is not treating his sickness as a result of the remedies he is tried over the previous six months have not improved his situation. As a substitute, he is simply “making an attempt to benefit from the good days that I’ve,” and he feels “blessed that I used to be in a position to get right here to Vegas from Kansas Metropolis.”
Competing on “The Voice”
Poker has by no means been a occupation for Snook, but it surely has lengthy been one in all his passions. He beforehand labored in a company job, however his true expertise is as a singer.
“I have been very blessed. I’ve sang in deserts, and sang in hospitals, like in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Snook stated.
Snook was “seeking to be on TV,” so he tried out for “The Voice,” a well-liked American actuality TV singing competitors on NBC. Through the blind audition part of Season 8 in 2015, the nation music singer carried out the Brooks & Dunn music “Crimson Grime Street,” and was chosen by Staff Blake, however he was eradicated in the course of the battle rounds. He additionally competed in Season 7 however did not seem on tv.
“That was a ravishing expertise,” he stated of his look on “The Voice.”
On the time of publishing, following the primary break of Day 1d, Snook was again to a bit above 50,000 chips, higher than he was earlier within the session as he had dipped nicely under his 60,000-chip beginning stack.
Observe Dwell Protection of the 2024 WSOP Essential Occasion at PokerNews
