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

Alabama poker player, Michael Graydon, who previously participated in World Series of Poker Circuit and WSOP events, has had a difficult year. In March, he discovered that he had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.

Graydon took to Twitter earlier this week to announce his participation in the 2021 WSOP Main Event. He also outlined his plan for the game. The no-limit hold’em tournament, with a buy-in of $10,000, is set to commence on Nov. 4 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino.

Graydon aimed to sell a majority of his stake at no extra cost to participate. This meant that the buyers would have the chance to win the same percentage of his winnings if he made any profit.

Graydon tweeted close to 2 a.m. ET, and the response was swift and abundant, solidly affirming two aspects about poker players.

Firstly, they tend to stay up late. Secondly, they are known for their remarkable generosity and support towards others in the community.

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

Dozens responded to Graydon within minutes, offering messages of encouragement and offers to purchase his WSOP Main Event action. They also offered to cover Graydon’s airfare to Las Vegas and his accommodations while there. Phil Galfond also offered Graydon a free membership to his Run It Once training site to help improve his game.

High-stakes pro, MJ Gonzales was among the many who tweeted, suggesting an alternative for Graydon and others who were responding.

Graydon did manage to connect with Gonzales, who in the interim had conversed with fellow poker player Jonathan Depa. Depa proposed to split the cost with Gonzales.

Two hours after his first tweet, Graydon was back on Twitter sharing his good news and expressing his gratitude to the poker community. He announced that he would be 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 reveals that he has had several cashes in WSOP Circuit events, with the latest one recorded in 2019.

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

The WSOP postponed this year’s series until the fall, following the cancellation of its 2020 live series due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 50 bracelets were awarded after the 88-event live series kicked off on Sept. 30.

To participate in WSOP live events, players are required to provide evidence of their COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, they are obliged to wear masks when inside the Rio, but they are allowed to take them off once they are seated at the tables.

At present, the WSOP is conducting a series of online bracelet events for players from WSOP Nevada and WSOP New Jersey. So far, since the beginning of October, five online bracelets have been given out, with another six online events planned for the remainder of November.

Additional starting flights should help increase Main Event size

This month, the WSOP expanded the Main Event schedule, incorporating two more Day 1 flights. Consequently, the total number of starting flights has risen to six, setting a new record for 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 flights have been scheduled. Two additional flights on Nov. 8 and 9 have been added, potentially enabling some international players who might not have been able to participate otherwise.

Everyone will come together with Graydon, forming a massive field of thousands, all competing for a potentially enormous first prize. In 2019, Hossein Ensan emerged victorious from a field of 8,569 players, taking home a staggering $10,000,000. In 2020, the Main Event took on a different format, combining online and live elements. Damian Salas was the champion of this scaled-down version, winning just above a quarter of a million.

On Wednesday, Graydon revealed more positive updates on his Twitter feed from his recent hospital visit. The latest brain scans show no new growth and demonstrate beneficial effects from the radiation treatment. Amidst a day filled with good news, this was the most uplifting update.

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