Cali Poker Pro Player David Valdez Passes Away at 29
David Valdez has passed away unexpectedly at the age of 29. The popular Californian poker pro died suddenly on Saturday from a heart attack.
Word going through NorCal poker community this afternoon that @dval17 passed away last night.
Stunned to learn Beast is no longer with us. I spent many a final table wrap-up taking a winner’s photo of my friend … pic.twitter.com/EdYKmRp1oY
— Dan Ross (@HoldemMedia_Dan) April 11, 2021
David “Beast” Valdez Dies Young
When word hit the Californian poker community late Saturday night that David Valdez had died it was a huge shock. The man known as “Beast” among his friends was much-loved in poker circles and will be greatly missed.
At only 28-years-old Valdez had built up quite a reputation across California, both as a player and a nice young man to be around.
Judging by the comments posted on Twitter David Valdez was always a popular player to have at the table. Matthew Dillon said:
“Competitive but friendly and kind. Such a nice guy & talented player, played several times at Thunder Valley circuit events. Nice kid. So sad.”
King of the Thunder Valley Poker Room
David Valdez was a busy live tournament player with a record going back almost a decade. With $374,010 in winnings, he wasn’t known in high stakes circles but there was a particularly great achievement he racked up.
He captured no less than three WSOP Circuit rings at the Thunder Valley Poker Room, Lincoln, California. This was also the location of his career-best live tournament cash of $46,411 in the 2019 WSOP Circuit Thunder Valley Event #7: $400 Monster Stack.
It is also noteworthy that Valdez cashed an impressive 32 times in WSOP events, accruing a total of $144,043 in earnings.
Word going through NorCal poker community this afternoon that @dval17 passed away last night.
Stunned to learn Beast is no longer with us. I spent many a final table wrap-up taking a winner’s photo of my friend … pic.twitter.com/EdYKmRp1oY
— Dan Ross (@HoldemMedia_Dan) April 11, 2021
He had the Potential to Go All the Way
There’s no doubt that without the legislation issues for online poker in the US David Valdez would have been much further along in his poker career. Mostly limited to live events across his home state meant a much slower rate of improvement.
Even with the way things currently are, Valdez still built a solid reputation as a feared opponent to face over the felt.
He also shocked many who met him with his softly spoken demeanour. As a physically large man with what could be described as an imposing appearance, he surprised those who spoke to him for the first time by being such a gentle guy.
His nickname “Beast” was in all likelihood made in jest in a similar fashion to Allen “Chainsaw” Kessler.
We send our condolences to the family and friends of David Valdez.
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