Poker Community Responds To Send Terminal Brain Cancer Patient To WSOP Main Event

Alabama poker player, Michael Graydon, who has previously participated in World Series of Poker Circuit and WSOP events, has had a challenging year. In March, he received a diagnosis of an inoperable brain tumor.

Graydon took to Twitter earlier this week to share news. He also outlined his intention to participate in the 2021 WSOP Main Event. This no-limit hold’em tournament, with a buy-in of $10,000, is set to kick off at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino on Nov. 4.

To participate, Graydon aimed to sell a majority of his stakes at no additional cost. This meant that the buyers would have the potential to win the same percentage of his winnings if he cashed out.

Graydon posted his tweet close to 2 a.m. ET and the rapid, substantial response confirmed two things about poker players.

Firstly, they are known for keeping late hours. Secondly, they are incredibly generous and supportive of others in the community.

Poker community to cover buy-in, air fare, accomodations

Dozens responded to Graydon within minutes, sending him messages of encouragement and offers to purchase his WSOP Main Event action. There were also offers to take care of his airfare to Las Vegas and his accommodation costs while there. Phil Galfond went a step further and offered Graydon a complimentary membership to his Run It Once training site to enhance his game.

A flood of tweets included one from high-stakes professional, MJ Gonzales. He offered an alternative suggestion for Graydon and the other respondents:

Gonzales, who had spoken with fellow poker player Jonathan Depa, was contacted by Graydon. Depa offered to share half the cost with Gonzales.

Two hours after his initial tweet, Graydon tweeted again to share the good news and express his gratitude to the poker community – he’s going to Las Vegas to participate in the Main Event.

Delayed 2021 WSOP continues forward, looks ahead to Main Event

Graydon’s profile on the Hendon Mob tournament tracking site indicates that he has earned money in several WSOP Circuit events, with the latest earnings recorded in 2019.

Graydon has previously participated in the WSOP Main Event at least once, including in 2019.

The WSOP postponed its annual series to the fall this year, after having to cancel its live series in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The live series, consisting of 88 events, commenced on September 30, and over 50 bracelets have already been handed out.

To participate in WSOP live events, players are required to provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, they must wear masks within the Rio premises, but they are permitted to take them off when sitting at the tables.

At present, the WSOP is hosting a series of online bracelet events for players at WSOP Nevada and WSOP New Jersey. To date, five online bracelets have been given out since the start of October, and there are six more online events planned for November.

Additional starting flights should help increase Main Event size

Earlier this month, the WSOP expanded the Main Event schedule by adding two additional Day 1 flights. This brings the total number of initial flights to a record-breaking six, the highest in the event’s history.

In response to the US announcement that vaccinated international travelers can enter the country without a two-week quarantine starting Nov. 8, extra starting flights have been added. Two additional flights scheduled for Nov. 8 and 9 are meant to accommodate international players who may not have been able to participate otherwise.

All of them will team up with Graydon to form a crowd of thousands competing for a potentially massive first prize. In 2019, Hossein Ensan emerged victorious among 8,569 players and claimed a staggering $10,000,000. In 2020, a more compact, hybrid version of the Main Event, combining online and live elements, resulted in Damian Salas winning slightly more than a quarter million dollars.

On Wednesday, Graydon posted more positive updates on his Twitter account from his recent hospital visit. The latest brain scans revealed no new growths and beneficial outcomes from radiation therapy, which was the most uplifting news of the day filled with good news.

Wishing Graydon the best of luck for next week and sending good wishes to him and his family for the future.