This hand took place during the Triton Poker Series Cash Game Invitational at the luxurious Maestral Resort and Casino in Montenegro.
Known primarily for its high-stakes tournaments, this was Triton’s first dive into a purely cash game format—and it didn’t disappoint. The star-studded lineup featured legends such as Patrik Antonius, Phil Ivey, Rob Yong, Dan ‘Jungleman’ Cates, Elizabeth Chen, Tony G, Adrian Mateos, and Triton Poker CEO Paul Phua. The blinds? A hefty $1,000/$2,000 with a $2,000 big blind ante.
The Hand: Jungleman vs. ST Wang
In a hand that perfectly encapsulated the mystery and excitement of high-stakes poker, Dan ‘Jungleman’ Cates went up against ST Wang. Triton’s YouTube broadcast kept viewers guessing by hiding Cates’ hole cards, only revealing them after the hand concluded—an extra layer of suspense in an already thrilling pot. Spoiler: Jungleman had a monster.
As seen in the video, Cates breaks down the action with exclusive, real-time commentary, offering a rare glimpse into the mind of one of the game’s most intuitive and dynamic players.
Meet the Beast: Dan Cates
🧠 Cash Game Phenom
🎭 The Enigma of Poker
🎥 The Man of Many Personas
Dan Cates is one of the most enigmatic and entertaining figures in high-stakes poker. His career began in the wild west of heads-up online cash games, where he battled the likes of Viktor Blom, Phil Ivey, Phil Galfond, Patrik Antonius, Gus Hansen, and Tom Dwan—many of whom he eventually surpassed in reputation and earnings.
But it’s not just his strategy that sets him apart—it’s his flair.
Whether dressed as Macho Man Randy Savage, Goku, The Grinch, The Terminator, or recently as Aquaman on Hustler Casino Live, Jungleman always brings character to the felt—literally.
Beyond the Cards
In 2024, Cates reached the finals of GGPoker’s YouTube hit Game of Gold, proving once again he’s not just a cash game crusher but an all-around competitor.
Off the felt, he dives deep—sometimes literally. In a candid PokerOrg interview last December, he shared details of an ayahuasca retreat in the Costa Rican jungle, offering fans a rare view into his spiritual side.
And for those who want even more insight, Cates runs a YouTube podcast, Winning the Game of Life, featuring some of poker’s most compelling figures. Recent guests include Eric Persson, Lex Veldhuis, and Jonathan Jaffe—discussing everything from poker to philosophy.
