Following his record-breaking win earlier this week in the main event of the World Series Of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas, Joseph Cada has received congratulations from the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) advocacy group.
Twenty-one-year-old Cada became the youngest main event champion in the 40-year history of the WSOP after defeating 46-year-old challenger Darvin Moon on Tuesday morning at the Penn And Teller Theater of the Rio All-Suite Hotel And Casino.
For his win, the Michigan native will take home $8.55 million in prize money along with a gold bracelet with the PPA revealing that Cada has been a vocal supporter of its efforts at protecting poker players’ rights.
"On behalf of PPA members, I congratulate Joe on his historic WSOP win and thank him for being such a strong advocate for the game, especially online poker," said Alfonse D’Amato, former Senator and Chairman for the PPA.
The PPA revealed that Cada has been a card player since youth, starting with games such as euchre and pinochle with his family. Poker became a passion for the Shelby Township native after he graduated high school and he began honing his skill online and in games with close friends.
The advocacy group revealed that Cada is a member and wore PPA patches throughout the WSOP.
‘Poker is not gambling," said Cada.
"There is decision-making, there’s logic, there’s math and I think that taking away online poker takes away peoples’ rights. I am very supportive of the PPA," said Cada.