Richard Syverud

Richard Syverud (also known as Rick Syverud) was a poker player from Wisconsin, United States. He was an affable, tattooed man who stood out due to his impressive height, and he was a regular on the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) and World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) when they visited the Midwest. At home, he could often be found playing $1/$2 and $2/$5 cash games at a local Ho-Chunk Gaming tribal casino.

Syverud was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2009, a battle that lasted nearly 10 years. Despite the grueling fight and the toll chemotherapy took on his body, he remained positive and credited poker with keeping him motivated. In a 2017 interview with PokerNews, he said, "I put on a smiling face, I laugh, but it really is hard a lot of times just to get up every day when you have such a debilitating disease. The one thing that keeps me going and keeps me motivated is poker, believe it or not. I can get up and know that I can take my dog for a walk, and then go to my local casino and play poker. It actually is keeping me alive really."

He passed away on June 24, 2018, at his home in North Freedom, Wisconsin, at the age of 49. His obituary suggested memorials be sent to Camp One Step, a children's oncology charity.

Syverud accumulated over $67,000 in tournament cashes during his career, with his best live results coming in 2017. His major recorded finishes include:

• 2017 World Series of Poker Event #20: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em MILLIONAIRE MAKER – 303rd place for $5,298
• 2017 WSOP Event #27: $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed – 143rd place for $4,509
• 2017 WSOP Event #74: The Little One for One Drop - $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em – 210th place for $3,012
• 2017 WSOP Circuit - Potawatomi Event #6: $365 No-Limit Hold'em Six Max – 23rd place for $663

He also realized a long-held dream in 2017 by playing in the WSOP Main Event, although he did not cash. He continued to record cashes as recently as December 2017 before his health declined.

Syverud was remembered by peers as a gentle giant. "When you looked at Rick, you saw a massive guy covered in tattoos," said fellow Wisconsin player and MSPT Media Director Chad Holloway. "He looked mean, but he was one of the gentlest and most genuine guys at the table. He knew his time was short. He didn’t let the cancer stop him though. He lived life to the fullest, which included living his dream of playing a big schedule at last year’s WSOP, even jumping into the Main Event. He may not have won a major title, but Rick left his mark on poker through the people he met."

His story serves as an inspiration for persisting in one's passion despite overwhelming odds, and he is remembered warmly by the poker community.