Daniel ‘Jungleman’ Cates is widely recognized as one of the very best heads-up No Limit Hold’em experts in the world. His online cash game profits on Full Tilt Poker (FTP) alone exceed the $7 million mark, but since Black Friday, you are more likely to see Cates in the live arena than the online felt.
In 2010, Cates answered the call from Tom ‘Durrr’ Dwan, when he challenged anyone in the world to play him over a series of 50,000 hands heads-up. Not only does Cates keep any money he should win during the challenge, but he will also give Cates an additional $1.5 million. On the other hand should Dwan win then Cates will have to pay an additional $500,000. The challenge ground to a halt after 20,000 hands due to the issues surrounding Black Friday.
But since the recent resurrection of FTP, Dwan has returned to the online tables prompting a series of Tweets between Cates and Durrr to try and renew the Million Dollar Challenge. So far the activity has gotten a little dirty and we asked Cates why he took the action to Twitter in the first place.
“He just won’t play me. He plays everyone else and doesn’t listen to me. I sent him some texts, which he ignored, so that’s why I went on Twitter. I feel taking the matter publicly is the only way I can get him to play me.”
Cates had flown into Venice after finishing in fifth place at the PartyPoker Premier League. Another great run after his runner-up spot in Season V, an event that went to the way of Scot Seiver, and the pair clashed verbally at this year’s event.
So what does Cates think of Seiver?
“Scott is sometimes arrogant and is becoming very irritating. He’s a very charming man sometimes, but lately…”
