The winner of last’s year’s World Series of Poker’s $3,000 Pot Limit Omaha event, Matt Parry, passed away Saturday, June 15. The 33-year-old’s death was unexpected and happened while Parry was in Las Vegas playing poker for the summer at the WSOP and elsewhere.
Parry died just eight days after he won $106,645 by taking down a $2,200 PLO event at the Wynn Summer Classic. The announcement was made by Parry’s family on his Facebook page:
“It’s with crushing sadness that we’re letting friends of Matt’s and our family know that Matt passed away on Saturday, June 15. As many of you are aware, he had 2 true passions – chess and poker. Happily, he was in Las Vegas attending the WSOP doing what he loved when he died. Last year, he fulfilled his dream when he won his first bracelet. He is deeply and forever missed. At this time, arrangements are being made and we’ll use FB and email to communicate in the event you would like to join us in celebrating his life. Please keep our Matt in your prayers.”
Details about Parry’s death has not been made available.
Parry, who was from Buffalo, was not only a WSOP bracelet winner, but also was a Scholastic National Champion in chess when in high school.
“Extremely sad to hear about the passing of Matt Parry,” wrote poker pro Will Jaffe on Twitter. “No one loved to battle more than Matt. He was one of the most naturally talented poker players I ever played with and truly one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. Everyone who knew him loved him. Gone way too soon.”
Fellow competitor Andrew Hanna also had kind things to say about his friend.
“RIP to one of the nicest, smartest and the most naturally talented player I ever played with,” he wrote. “We lost a legend yesterday in every sense of the word. Matt was a competitor, inspiration, friend, and as genuine of a person as they come.
Parry was only $98,000 away from breaking the $2 million lifetime tournament cash mark. His biggest cash came in the WSOP event he won last summer, which was good for $480,122. In 2016, Parry nearly become the $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha 8-Handed Champion, but finished in fifth for $185,337.
It was one of a handful of WSOP final tables Parry, which includes a third-place finish in last year’s $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha event ($134,156), and a runner-up finish in the 2020 WSOP.com online $2,000 event for $189,193. In 2017, Parry made his only World Poker Tour Final table in its headliner at the Borgata. He finished fourth for $240,965.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be released.
