‘Jungleman’ Booted from HCL Stream for Throwing Cards at Dealer

Poker legend Dan “Jungleman” Cates was kicked out of Hustler Casino and temporarily banned from the Los Angeles casino after throwing his cards across the table in a moment of frustration during a Hustler Casino Live stream.

The incident involving the tilted two-time WSOP Poker Players Championship winner took place during Friday night’s $100/$200 game with a lineup that included Nikhil “Nik Airbal” Arcot and Big Mike.

“Pretty Major Party Foul”

Cates’ episode of tilt stemmed from a hand against Jack C, who raised to $3,000 with J♠9♥ as Cates called on the button with K♣3♣. Jack C whiffed on the flop of 5♦4♠K♣ but bet $4,000 as Cates called with his top pair.

Jack C increased to an 11% chance of winning the hand on the 9♦ turn and both players checked. The 9♣ river then gave Jack C the winner with trips and he bet $14,000.

Cates called and, clearly unhappy about seeing he had lost to runner-runner trips, aggressively threw his cards, which apparently struck dealer, “Magic,” (the camera cuts away), though the cards end up in front of Big Mike in the two-seat.

Hustler Casino confirmed to PokerNews that it was the dealer who he hit.

“He threw his cards so hard it hit Mike in the chest!” Charlie Wilmoth, the commentator said. “All the way across the table.”

“It wasn’t that big of a pot. Throwing your cards that hard is a pretty major party foul.”

Cates, quickly realizing he may have crossed a line, apologized to the table and tipped the dealer.

“I’m in a crazy mood,” he said apologetically.

“Is Jungle Leaving?”

Several hands passed before Cates was called from the stream by a casino official and escorted from the area. The players seemed confused but continued playing, with one joking that “if you hurt the fish, you can’t play here.”

A Hustler Casino source confirmed to PokerNews that Cates was only temporarily banned from the card room, given that he has had no previous issues.

Cates has never been one to shy away from controversy. He was once banned from entrepreneur Jason Calacanis’ home game and, earlier this year, took part in a boxing match against Ryan “Elf” Noel that ended with what some called a cheap shot from the young streamer.

Cates has appeared on the PokerNews Life Outside Poker podcast and recently sat down with Chad Holloway in Prague for an episode of the PokerNews Podcast at WSOP Europe.

Connor Richards is a Senior Editor U.S. for PokerNews and host of the Life Outside Poker podcast. Connor has been nominated for three Global Poker Awards for his writing.