Poker Player Kevin Royster Passes Away After Brave Battle with Cancer

Kevin Royster, a renowned poker player, passed away on July 26, 2019, after a brave battle with a rare form of cancer. He was diagnosed with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma two years before his death. Despite the grim diagnosis, Royster spent his final weeks playing poker at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), where he inspired many with his optimism and determination.

Royster's leg was amputated due to the cancer, but it did not stop the spread of cancerous cells. In May, doctors informed him that he had only a few weeks to a couple of months left to live. Royster decided to spend his remaining time doing what he loved most—playing poker. He participated in the WSOP, where he met many poker celebrities, appeared on Joe Ingram's podcast, and raised awareness about sarcoma.

One of Royster's main goals was to participate in the main tournament at WSOP. Greg Merson, a former champion, helped him achieve this dream. Although Royster did not make it to the prizes, his journey was marked by courage and resilience. On the day before his death, Royster wrote a farewell letter and recorded a video message, expressing his gratitude and optimism. He was forced to take morphine and 40 different pills daily due to his condition. Royster encouraged people to support a fund researching sarcoma and its treatments.