Dan “Jungleman” Cates is one of the most accomplished high-stakes poker players of his generation. A two-time World Series of Poker champion, he has won nearly $12 million in live tournaments and millions more battling the toughest opponents online.
Away from the tables, Dan hosts Winning the Game of Life, a podcast exploring poker, success, health, personal growth, philanthropy, and the lessons learned from competing at the highest levels of the game.
Who Is Jungleman?
Daniel “Jungleman” Cates is one of the most successful and unconventional poker players of the online era. Rising through the ranks under the screen name “jungleman12”, he became feared in the toughest heads-up No Limit Hold’em games, regularly taking on the best players in the world when most were looking for easier opponents.
Born in Maryland in 1989, Cates began playing poker at 17 and quickly developed a reputation for his aggressive style and unique approach to the game. By 2010, he was widely regarded as one of online poker’s biggest winners, earning millions in high-stakes cash games and famously taking on Tom Dwan in the Durrrr Challenge.
While many fans first discovered him through online poker, Jungleman has also built an impressive live tournament résumé. He made history by winning the prestigious $50,000 Poker Players Championship at the World Series of Poker in both 2021 and 2022, becoming the first player ever to win the event in consecutive years.
Today, with more than $18 million in live tournament winnings and millions more earned online, Jungleman remains one of poker’s most respected competitors and one of its most fascinating personalities.
Jungleman’s Most Popular Video
Poker Champion Explains Poker Mistakes At Every Level
In this popular strategy breakdown, Jungleman explores the mistakes that hold poker players back at every level. From beginner fundamentals and common leaks to advanced adjustments used by elite professionals, Dan explains how better decision-making, emotional control, and strategic flexibility can transform results and accelerate improvement.
More Videos By Jungleman
Where to Play Poker Against Jungleman
Dan Cates is most commonly found playing poker at: Phenom Poker
Where to Follow Jungleman
YouTube: Jungleman
X: Daniel Cates
Jungleman News
- Phenom Poker Challenges Hold’em Dominance With 92-Event Series
- Dan Cates Goes Full Jungleman at First African Poker Championship
- Jungleman’s $15M Heads-Up Win Looks Even Bigger After Monarch Returns at Triton Jeju
- Bill Simmons Gave Someone His Betting Login. What Happens When Poker Players Do the Same?
- Jennifer Tilly Busts the Competition on Hellmuth’s Home Game
- Dan Cates “Jungleman”
Jungleman FAQ
What is Jungleman’s real name?
Jungleman’s real name is Daniel Cates, although he is usually known as Dan Cates. The American professional poker player became famous online under the screen name “jungleman12,” which eventually became his enduring poker nickname.
How old is Dan “Jungleman” Cates?
Dan Cates was born on November 14, 1989, in Bowie, Maryland. That makes Jungleman 36 years old as of September 2026.
Why is Dan Cates called Jungleman?
The Jungleman nickname comes from Cates’ online poker screen name “jungleman12.” He used the name while establishing himself as an elite high-stakes online player, and it became so closely associated with him that it followed him into live poker.
How much has Jungleman won playing poker?
Dan Cates has more than $19 million in recorded live tournament earnings as of September 2026, according to The Hendon Mob. That figure does not include his results from private and televised cash games or his enormous online poker winnings, so his total poker profit cannot be determined from public tournament records alone.
How many WSOP bracelets has Jungleman won?
Jungleman has won two World Series of Poker bracelets, with both coming in the prestigious $50,000 Poker Players Championship. He won his first for $954,020 in 2021 before successfully defending the title in 2022 for $1,449,103.
Did Jungleman win the Poker Players Championship twice in a row?
Yes, Cates won the $50,000 WSOP Poker Players Championship in both 2021 and 2022, becoming the first player to win the prestigious mixed-game championship in consecutive years.
