David Singleton's story isn't the typical poker tale of rapid ascent and major titles. It's about a man who had one path taken from him and was forced to find another. After a serious car accident, he became paraplegic overnight and had to learn to navigate a world unprepared for him. Poker wasn't an escape for him; it was a tool to regain control over his own life.
Before the accident, Singleton was an action-loving guy who thrived on adrenaline and sports. From skateboarding to snowboarding and fast driving—danger was an inherent part of his identity. However, post-accident, risk took on a new form. It was no longer about adrenaline but making decisions with long-term consequences. Poker offered him exactly what he needed—a game where he could compete, think strategically, and grow without physical limitations.
His relationship with poker was cyclical for years. He would dive into the game, lose his bankroll, start from scratch, and return time and again. Not because he was chasing quick money, but because the game continually drew him in. Only when he realized he needed a system, discipline, and process did he decide to take poker seriously. The online environment allowed him to work from home and maintain his health—something a traditional job didn't offer.
In this episode of Chasing Poker Greatness, his story transforms from a fight for survival to a pursuit of progress. David started at the lowest stakes, where he learned the basics, worked on memory, study, and self-discipline. Results didn’t come quickly, and the graph didn’t shoot straight up. There were periods of stagnation, setbacks to lower limits, and moments of doubt. Yet compared to where he started, the progress was unmistakable.
Singleton's mindset isn’t built on short-term goals. He doesn’t speak of a good month or 'heaters.' He talks about perseverance—the ability to continue even when results aren’t immediately rewarding. For him, success isn’t defined by today's wins, but by looking back a year later and seeing progress.
For him, poker isn’t just a game. It represents a path to independence. The ability to choose his environment, travel, be part of a community, and build a life on his terms. Crushing higher limits doesn’t mean ego or status for him, but proof that long-term effort is worthwhile.
David Singleton’s story reminds us that poker isn't just about perfect graphs or quick results. It's about people who decide not to give up, even when they have every reason to. That's where its strength lies—not in the cards, but in the ability to sit down at the table again and again and carry on.
More from Chasing Poker Greatness
Justin Saliba - Why Sometimes You Have to Fold Kings to Win the Game
Dr. Lara Eisenberg – From Doctor to WSOP Champion
Stephen Baker: Most players know what to do – but don't do it
Jared Alderman: The Mindset that Changes the Way You Win in Poker
Source – Chasing Poker Greatness Podcast
