Matt Snook, a singer who appeared on Season eight of “The Voice,” was recognized with a uncommon type of kidney most cancers earlier this 12 months. On Saturday, he crossed off a bucket record merchandise by competing within the 2024 World Sequence of Poker (WSOP) Fundamental Occasion.
PokerNews spoke with the avid poker fanatic previous to the beginning of Day 1d. The Kansas Metropolis, Missouri space native has by no means performed in such a big buy-in event, however he does have fairly a little bit of event expertise, together with 12 Rungood Poker Sequence (RGPS) cashes since 2019.
“I had some associates get collectively, they usually principally helped me out,” Snook mentioned of coming into the world championship occasion. “It is the best event on the planet, and I adore it.”
Uncommon type of Most cancers
Snook says he is “extra of a money sport participant” than tournaments, however he does sometimes take pleasure in mixing it up. Each participant within the Fundamental Occasion has a narrative to inform, however the musician has fairly a novel one.
“I acquired recognized with a uncommon type of kidney most cancers January third, and that is most likely going to be considered one of my final hoorah’s to play a event,” Snook defined.
Regardless of his situation — he mentioned he was given 6-12 months to stay — he appeared in good spirits previous to the beginning of play. And he nonetheless has a optimistic outlook on life.
“I’ve lived such a blessed life, I really feel good at the moment, had a troublesome night time final night time, and I am planning on making an attempt to work by way of what I’ve started working by way of,” he mentioned. “Poker gamers know that poker is a grind and life is a grind. However I do not need anyone feeling sorry for me. I do not need any empathy. I’ve simply lived a blessed life and I am glad to be right here.”
Snook mentioned he first started feeling sick in September 2023 earlier than his January most cancers analysis. The poker participant has sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (sRCC), a uncommon, aggressive type of kidney most cancers that may have an effect on different elements of the physique.
“It begins within the kidney and goes to the bones. I’ve it all over the place,” he mentioned of his situation.
Snook, who was joined contained in the Paris ballroom by his supportive spouse, Stephanie, and associates, estimates the most cancers started near a 12 months in the past.
“I most likely had it earlier than I knew I had it as a result of I wasn’t feeling too good again in September,” the poker participant mentioned. “However I do not fear about that.”
Snook is not treating his sickness as a result of the remedies he is tried over the previous six months have not improved his situation. As a substitute, he is simply “making an attempt to benefit from the good days that I’ve,” and he feels “blessed that I used to be in a position to get right here to Vegas from Kansas Metropolis.”
Competing on “The Voice”
Poker has by no means been a occupation for Snook, but it surely has lengthy been considered one of his passions. He beforehand labored in a company job, however his true expertise is as a singer.
“I have been very blessed. I’ve sang in deserts, and sang in hospitals, like in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Snook mentioned.
Snook was “seeking to be on TV,” so he tried out for “The Voice,” a well-liked American actuality TV singing competitors on NBC. In the course of the blind audition part of Season eight in 2015, the nation music singer carried out the Brooks & Dunn music “Purple Dust Highway,” and was chosen by Workforce Blake, however he was eradicated through the battle rounds. He additionally competed in Season 7 however did not seem on tv.
“That was an exquisite expertise,” he mentioned of his look on “The Voice.”
On the time of publishing, following the primary break of Day 1c, Snook was again to a bit above 50,00Zero chips, higher than he was earlier within the session as he had dipped nicely beneath his 60,000-chip beginning stack.
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