Daniel “Jungleman” Cates is one of the most notable and talked-about figures in the world of poker. In the latest episode of the Olga Poker Podcast, he openly shared his journey from the lowest stakes to the pinnacle, why he attends tournaments in costumes, and how to handle the huge swings in high stakes. His typical humorous digressions, surprising confessions, and candid views on what poker needs to attract the masses were not left out.
From Microstakes to Legend Status
Daniel started in poker like many others – with a small bankroll and a huge desire to improve. During his first six months, he lost $3,000, but he didn't give up. He gradually broke even and then won a $5,200 tournament, marking a 270% increase in his bankroll in a single day.
Later, he became known for his high stakes success, including the legendary heads-up challenge against Tom Dwan. As he himself says, his greatest strength is handling the pressure of big money without affecting his decisions. Everyone saw this recently in the record-setting heads-up against Monarch, where millions of dollars were at stake.
Life Away from the Poker Table
Currently, Daniel describes himself as a “professional tourist in China” – traveling, trying local foods, and documenting countless exotic snacks. He enjoys massages, music, and admits he's more of a “cat person” than a “dog person.” He's captivated by China and Japan, but has also added New Zealand, Singapore, and Bali to his bucket list. “I love active vacations; I want to do things and create memories,” he adds.
Unsurprisingly, these Asian countries often host private cash games of astronomical proportions, where Jungleman feels right at home. Although he doesn't reveal specific plans, it's clear from the interview that he hopes to continue blending professional poker with adventurous travels and entertaining content creation.
Poker as a Show
Jungleman is known for appearing in various costumes at tournaments. He claims it's not just for fun – it's his way of making poker more attractive even to those who might not be drawn to the game itself. “It's a bit of a social experiment. In a room full of players just waiting for aces and saying nothing, I want to bring humor, energy, and something memorable for the audience,” he explains. He draws inspiration “from the universe,” but sometimes gets costume suggestions from others.
Embracing Losses and Finding Peace in Chaos
The conversation touched on tougher moments, including his infamous $5 million loss in Manila and a robbery in 2019. Daniel admitted that learning not to have too much emotional attachment to money was crucial to managing losses. “Changing my value system was key. Once you stop clinging to money, the pressure fades. It's important to stay calm even in chaos,” he says, recommending meditation or breathing exercises to better handle demanding situations.
Dan sees potential for formats that deliver more action and emotion to viewers, believing that could help poker gain popularity beyond the traditional player community. “People in poker are often apathetic. To engage a broader audience, we need to bring more energy, humor, and memorable personalities,” he states.
You can watch the entire podcast here:
Other Episodes of the Olga Poker Podcast
