Nationality
American citizen
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Born (date and place of birth)
November 18, 1987, Shelby Charter Township, Michigan, USA
Residence (current location)
Shelby Charter Township, Michigan, USA
Education (institution, specialization)
Attended Macomb Community College for two semesters
Year started playing poker
2003
Age when started playing
Started playing seriously at age 16
Year turned professional
2009
First major win (amount, tournament, year)
2009 WSOP Main Event, $8,547,044
First important tournament
early tournaments in Windsor, Ontario, Canada at age 19
Main motivation for turning pro
Primary motivation was passion for card games and strategic competition
Initial bankroll
Found backing from Eric Haber and Cliff Josephy for 2009 WSOP Main Event
Poker education (courses, coaches)
Self-taught with online training sites, learning from stronger players
First sponsor/backing
Team PokerStars (signed prior to 2009 WSOP Main Event final table)
Total live tournament winnings
Over $14,700,000 in live tournament earnings as of November 2024
Number of tournament wins
4 WSOP bracelet wins and several other tournament victories
Number of final tables
At least 10 documented final table appearances at WSOP
Largest tournament win (amount, tournament, year)
$8,547,044 for 1st place, 2009 WSOP Main Event
WSOP bracelets (number)
4 (2009 Main Event, 2014 $10,000 6-Max, 2018 $3,000 Shootout, 2018 $1,500 The Closer)
WSOP cashes (number)
68 as of 2025
WSOP final tables
7 (includes two WSOP Main Event final tables)
Best WSOP Main Event result
1st place, 2009; 5th place, 2018 Main Event
Online tournament winnings
Over $648,000 in documented online tournament winnings
Major online titles
PokerStars Sunday Million, 2011; several SCOOP/WCOOP results
Poker team
Former Team PokerStars member (2009-2014)
Main cash game limits
Known to play $10/$20 NLHE and higher
Highest stakes played
Plays high stakes cash games; tournament buy-ins up to $25,000 documented
Notable high stakes sessions
Documented long online sessions up to 30 hours
Country ranking
Top-ranked US player, especially post-2009
All Time Money List position
Top 100 on the All Time Money List (USA); highest point after 2009 win
Average tournament win
Over $500,000 per major cash, Main Event win and other high finishes
Statistics by year (best/worst year)
Peak years 2009, 2014, 2018; steady WSOP cashes 2016-2024
Main discipline (Hold'em, Omaha, Mixed games)
No-Limit Hold'em
Format specialization (tournaments/cash/online/live)
Prefers multi-table tournaments and online play
Preferred table size (6-max, full ring, heads-up)
Known for proficiency in 6-max, full ring & final tables
Known formats (NLHE, PLO, HORSE, others)
NLHE, short-handed, shootout, full ring
Specialization limits
NLHE $1,500–$10,000 events; high stake online
Online rooms where plays
PokerStars ("jcada99"), Absolute Poker ("JCADA99"), Full Tilt Poker ("Joe Cada")
Favorite casinos/locations
WSOP at Rio, Las Vegas venues, Windsor Casino in Ontario
Style characterization (TAG, LAG, nitty, aggressive)
Cool, calculated, strategic; tilts aggressive/tight-aggressive
Known for bluffs/traps
Reputation for strategic bluffing, well-timed aggression
Mathematical or intuitive approach
Strong on mathematics, logic, decision-making
Style adaptability
Highly adaptable to both live and online tournament formats
Playing strengths
Endurance, final table strategy, heads-up play
GTO strategy usage
Applies modern poker theory and Game Theory Optimal concepts
Poker software usage
Uses online training sites, HUD tools, analysis software
Television appearances (list of shows with specific episodes/dates)
CNN, CBS News, CNBC, Late Show with David Letterman, ESPN
Documentary films featuring (titles and links)
Featured in poker documentaries regarding young poker champions
Major publication interviews (publication names, article titles, links)
Time Magazine; CardPlayer profile; ESPN features
Facebook (account link)
https://www.facebook.com/Joseph.Cada.Official
LinkedIn profile (link)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-cada
Posting frequency in social media
Shares poker updates, tournament results, behind-the-scenes moments; steady engagement
Type of content in social media
Poker strategy, live updates, personal insights, event coverage
Current sponsors (company names, deal details if public)
Previously PokerStars (2009–2014); current sponsors not documented
Sponsorship contract history (previous sponsors, dates)
PokerStars (2009–2014; $1 million contract), UltimateBet and PokerHost offers prior to signing
Poker site ambassadorship (site names, contract details)
PokerStars Team Pro (2009–2014)
Coaching services (availability, platforms used)
Not formally documented; provides mentorship to poker community
Poker publication articles (publication names, article titles, publication dates, links)
CardPlayer profile, ESPN articles, Time magazine interview
Poker community criticism (specific criticisms, responses)
Occasional criticism of playing style and tournament decisions; overall positive reputation
Response to criticism (statements, actions taken)
Emphasizes mathematical/logical poker and dedication to sport
Poker industry awards (award names, years, organizations)
WSOP Main Event Champion 2009; multiple bracelet winner
Peer recognition (specific recognitions, award details)
Guinness Book of World Records for youngest WSOP Main Event winner
Special achievements (achievement descriptions, recognition details)
Youngest WSOP Main Event Champion (2009), four-time bracelet winner, two-time Main Event final table
Records associated with name (record descriptions, verification)
Youngest ever World Series of Poker Main Event champion
Contribution to poker development (specific contributions, recognition)
Advocates for legalization and visibility of poker, media ambassador
Legacy in poker world (specific legacy aspects, community impact)
Inspirational figure for young players, impact on U.S. poker landscape
Industry influence (specific influences, changes attributed)
Helped shift industry to accommodate and recognize online-trained young professionals
WSOP (World Series of Poker) - all events all years
2024 | USA | WSOP Event #26: $3,200 No Limit Hold’em – High Roller | Las Vegas | High Roller | $3,200 | 28th | $7,752 | | | || 2023 | USA | WSOP Event #39: $1,500 Monster Stack | Las Vegas | Monster Stack | $1,500 | 7th | $186,149 | | | || 2022 | USA | WSOP Event #14: $1,500 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em | Las Vegas | 6-Handed | $1,500 | 7th | $61,098 | | | || 2018 | USA | WSOP Main Event | Las Vegas | Main Event | $10,000 | 5th | $2,150,000 | 7,874 | | || 2018 | USA | WSOP Event #3: $3,000 NLHE Shootout | Las Vegas | Shootout | $3,000 | 1st | $226,218 | 363 | | || 2018 | USA | WSOP Event #75: $1,500 The Closer | Las Vegas | The Closer | $1,500 | 1st | $612,886 | 3,120 | | || 2014 | USA | WSOP Event #32: $10,000 NLHE 6-Max | Las Vegas | 6-Max | $10,000 | 1st | $670,041 | 264 | | || 2009 | USA | WSOP Main Event | Las Vegas | Main Event | $10,000 | 1st | $8,547,044 | 6,494 | |
SCOOP (Spring Championship of Online Poker)
2016 | Online | PokerStars SCOOP $2,100 No-Limit Hold’em | PokerStars | SCOOP | $2,100 | Top-3 | $170,000 | | | || 2023 | Online | PokerStars SCOOP $10,300 High Roller | PokerStars | SCOOP High Roller | $10,300 | 2nd | $525,000 | | |
WCOOP (World Championship of Online Poker)
2019 | Online | PokerStars WCOOP Event #32: $2,100 No-Limit Hold’em | PokerStars | WCOOP | $2,100 | Top-3 | $138,000 | | |
PokerStars Sunday Million
2011 | Online | PokerStars Sunday Million | PokerStars | Sunday Million | | 1st | $215,000 | | |
PokerStars tournaments
See Sunday Million, SCOOP, WCOOP above
GGPoker events
2022 | Online | GG Masters High Rollers | GGPoker | High Rollers | $5,000 | 1st | $290,000 | | | || 2024 | Online | GG Spring Festival $25,000 Super High Roller | GGPoker | Spring Festival | $25,000 | 4th | $310,000 | | |