Joe Cada

Joe Cada’s rise to the top of the poker world happened almost overnight. Just an everyday college student only a few years ago, he hit the big time in 2009 and now stands as one of the biggest winners the game has ever seen, with millions of dollars in live and online earnings. Not bad going for a kid from Michigan who’s still only in his early 20’s.

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Joe had already built a solid reputation online prior to 2009, but it was his performance at the WSOP* that year that would change his life forever. His trip to Las Vegas started off with cashes in two events for a total of $28,216. They gave Joe confidence as he made his way into Day 1 of the biggest live event of them all, the World Series Main Event. It was another huge field, with close to 6,500 players desperate to get their hands on poker’s biggest prize. Days later thousands had fallen, but Joe was one of the last men standing, heading to November’s final table with a playable stack and poised to make history as the youngest-ever World Champion.

During the break before the final table, Joe returned to his online roots and incredibly managed to win a 2nd Chance event held as part of the World Championship of Online Poker. It was a victory worth $128,872, and gave Joe the run-good he’d need for his return to Vegas. When November finally came, Joe kept his nerve, played solid poker and ended up winning the lot, taking away the coveted gold bracelet and a phenomenal $8,546,435 in cash. He’s continued to score impressive results since 2009, adding hundreds of thousands more to his bankroll thanks to highlights that include an 11th place finish in the $25,000 High Roller event at the 2010 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA), a 13th place at EPT San Remo in Season 7 and a win in a $2,000 side event at the 2012 PCA for $175,550.

Financially set for life, and living proof that the new generation of young online players also have what it takes to win at the biggest live events, you couldn’t blame Joe if he decided never to play poker again. But with youth on his side and a thirst for more success, this is a man you’ll be seeing at final tables for years to come. He plays for Team PokerStars Pro and can be found online with the user name ‘jcada99’.

Career Highlights

Event	Date	Position	Prize
2009 WSOP* $2,500 No Limit Hold’em	June 2009	64th	$6,681
2009 WSOP* $1,500 No Limit Hold’em	June 2009	17th	$21,533
WCOOP 2nd Chance $1,050 No Limit Hold’em	September 2009	1st	$128,872
2009 WSOP* $10,000 Championship Main Event	November 2009	1st	$8,546,435
PCA $2,000 No Limit Hold’em	January 2012	1st	$175,550

*World Series of Poker and WSOP are trademarks of Caesars License Company, LLC ("Caesars"). Caesars does not sponsor or endorse, and is not associated or affiliated with PokerStars or its products, services, promotions or tournaments.