In a shocking news, the Australian poker player Jan Suchanek passed away in Belgrade last week.
Suchanek amassed over $1.1 million cash in live tournaments, with his 49th finish for $142,447 at the 2016 World Series of Poker Main Event being the biggest highlight of his poker career. In the poker community, he was the second most prominent poker player to pass away this month. On Saturday, 17th September, it was Ivan Leow (founder of Triton Poker) who died due to heart attack.
The 39-year-old poker player Leow had died during the Triton Poker Cyprus, which began on 5th September. As Triton Family members needed to mourn, the remainder of the series was cancelled.
Condolences From Poker Community
Several prominent poker players condoled the passing of Suchanek. Dara O’Kearney, an Irish pro at poker and a close friend of Suchanek, wrote a touching tribute. O’Kearney explained that Suchanek was a Czech citizen who grew up in Canada but returned to homeland after college. He began with betting on sports and then moved to New Zealand, before finally settling in Melbourne, Australia.
The late poker player was aggressive on the felts, and he was never afraid of playing big pots. He was a fierce competitor but made many friends in the game due to his charming personality.
Suchanek never won a WSOP bracelet, but came close in a $1,500 6-handed mix tournament where he ended up finishing runner-up to Bryn Kenney for $94,618, which is his second largest score.
O’Kearney said that his friend was suffering from stomach problems earlier in the month and became very concerned. While his passing is tragic, Suchanek had a happy, full life filled with love.
“He loved and lived to the fullest. But whatever did happen, that was okay with him. It did not matter if that meant getting out one for the chiplead, with 50 in the WSOP Main, or dying. Jan Suchanek was a great person,” O’Kearney stated.