Daniel “Jungleman” Cates has an estimated net worth of $22 million as of 2025. The 35-year-old American poker professional has built his fortune through incredible success in both online cash games and live tournaments, earning over $29 million in documented poker winnings throughout his career.
Quick Facts About Daniel Cates
| Full Name | Daniel Lawrence Cates |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Jungleman, jungleman12, w00ki3z |
| Net Worth | $22 Million (2025) |
| Age | 35 years old |
| Born | November 14, 1989 |
| Birthplace | Bowie, Maryland, USA |
| Profession | Professional Poker Player |
| WSOP Bracelets | 2 |
The McDonald’s Worker Who Became a Millionaire
Daniel Cates’ journey to becoming one of poker’s biggest earners started from humble beginnings. Born and raised in Bowie, Maryland, Cates was diagnosed with autism at age 12. As a teenager, he discovered poker but initially lost money, racking up thousands in debt.
His parents froze his bank account due to his gambling losses, forcing the 17-year-old Cates to work at McDonald’s to rebuild his bankroll. “I believed if I kept working at poker, the game would improve significantly,” Cates explained about his early struggles.
Despite these setbacks, Cates remained determined. He started playing online poker under the screen names “jungleman12” and “w00ki3z,” using a strategy he called “reverse game selection” – deliberately targeting better players to improve his own game.
Daniel Cates’ Massive Poker Earnings
Tournament Winnings That Built His Fortune
Cates has earned $18,587,047 in live tournament winnings as of 2025. His biggest tournament scores include:
| Year | Tournament | Finish | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Triton Jeju Spring $100K | 2nd | $3,528,000 |
| 2023 | Triton London $125K | 3rd | $1,940,000 |
| 2014 | EPT Monte Carlo €100K | 2nd | $1,776,127 |
| 2019 | Triton London Short Deck | 5th | $1,651,028 |
| 2022 | WSOP $50K PPC | 1st | $1,449,103 |
Online Cash Game Domination
Beyond tournaments, Cates built his reputation as one of the best online cash game players ever. He earned over $11 million in online cash games by 2014. In 2010 alone, he won over $5.5 million online, making him the biggest winner for that year.
Recent Big Wins Keep Adding to His Wealth
Just in 2025, Cates has already won over $4.4 million from two major tournaments. His recent victory in a heads-up match against Ossi Ketola netted him approximately $15 million profit in a single session.
The World Series of Poker Champion
Cates has achieved something truly special in poker – winning back-to-back $50,000 Poker Players Championship events at the WSOP. He won this prestigious mixed-game tournament in both 2021 and 2022, earning him two WSOP bracelets and over $2.4 million.
“I said I was gonna win, so I won,” Cates said after his 2021 victory. His 2022 win made him only the third player ever to win this championship multiple times, joining Michael Mizrachi and Brian Rast.
From Gaming Addiction to Poker Success
Cates describes his childhood as “weird, a bit aloof and mostly spent alone.” He was obsessed with video games, particularly Command and Conquer, which his mother called “uncontrollable.” However, this gaming background actually helped him in poker.
His analytical mind and strategic thinking from gaming translated perfectly to poker’s complex decision-making. At Eleanor Roosevelt High School, he achieved perfect scores on the math section of his SATs while sneaking away to play Minesweeper.
Smart Money Management Built His Fortune
Unlike many young poker millionaires who spend lavishly, Cates attributes his financial success to smart money management. “Personally I always just reinvested money back into poker,” he explained.
This disciplined approach to his bankroll allowed him to take shots at higher stakes and weather the inevitable downswings that come with professional poker.
Business Ventures Beyond Poker
Cates isn’t just focused on poker anymore. He has announced plans to expand into Hollywood as both a producer and actor, with multiple projects listed on his IMDB page. He’s also involved in philanthropic work, including building schools in Zanzibar.
The poker pro has also become a training site ambassador for Run It Once, helping teach the next generation of players.
Lifestyle and Assets
While specific details about Cates’ properties and assets aren’t publicly available, his estimated $22 million net worth suggests he lives comfortably. He’s known to split time between Las Vegas and traveling for high-stakes poker games around the world.
Cates has been open about both his wins and losses. In 2015, he famously lost $5 million during a poker session in Manila, showing the high-variance nature of his profession.
The Psychology Behind His Success
What sets Cates apart is his unique combination of analytical thinking (enhanced by his autism diagnosis) and fearless aggression at the poker table. His autism has actually been an asset, helping him analyze complex situations and make logical decisions without being swayed by emotions.
“My ideas towards risk changed with time. It’s not my main motivator, which is instead experience and positive impact,” Cates has said about his evolving relationship with money.
Daniel Cates Net Worth Compared to Other Poker Pros
At $22 million, Cates ranks among poker’s elite earners:
- Daniel Negreanu: ~$50 million
- Phil Ivey: ~$30 million
- Daniel Cates: ~$22 million
- Tom Dwan: ~$20 million
- Phil Hellmuth: ~$25 million
Future Earnings Potential
At just 35 years old, Cates shows no signs of slowing down. His recent $15 million win against Ketola and continued success in 2025 tournaments suggest his net worth will keep growing.
With his expansion into entertainment and business ventures, plus his continued poker success, industry experts predict Cates could reach $30-40 million in net worth within the next few years.
Conclusion
Daniel Cates’ journey from a McDonald’s worker struggling with gambling debts to a $22 million poker legend is truly inspiring. His story shows how determination, smart money management, and turning perceived weaknesses into strengths can lead to extraordinary success.
Through his combination of tournament victories, online cash game domination, and business ventures, Jungleman has secured his place among poker’s wealthiest players while continuing to compete at the highest levels of the game.
Disclaimer
Net worth estimates are based on publicly available tournament winnings, reported cash game results, and industry estimates. Actual net worth may vary due to private investments, taxes, and personal expenses not reflected in public records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much is Daniel Cates worth in 2025?
A: Daniel Cates has an estimated net worth of $22 million as of 2025.
Q: What is Daniel Cates’ biggest tournament win?
A: His biggest single tournament prize was $3,528,000 for finishing 2nd in the 2025 Triton Jeju Spring $100,000 event.
Q: How many WSOP bracelets does Daniel Cates have?
A: Daniel Cates has won 2 WSOP bracelets, both in the $50,000 Poker Players Championship (2021 and 2022).
Q: Why is Daniel Cates called “Jungleman”?
A: The nickname comes from his online poker screen name “jungleman12” that he used when starting his career.
Q: Did Daniel Cates really work at McDonald’s?
A: Yes, at age 17, Cates worked at McDonald’s to rebuild his poker bankroll after losing money and having his bank account frozen by his parents.