Vanessa Kade Recovers from Covid-19 in Time for WSOP 2021 Main Event

GGPoker ambassador Vanessa Kade has revealed her recent Covid infection was the “Most sick I’ve been in my life” as she prepares to take on the World Series of Poker Main Event this week...

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Not gonna lie, that was the most sick I’ve been in my life, and being relatively healthy & vaccinated I didn’t think it could be that bad.

Almost normal now except absolutely no taste or smell.

Technically I could play tomorrow (ok’ed by WSOP) but plan on firing Sat 🔥 https://t.co/T3CioYGEqz

— Vanessa Kade (@VanessaKade) November 5, 2021

Kade came down with a version of the coronavirus late last month, urging anyone she may have played against in Vegas to get checked for the virus.

“I played the shootout AND the 6 max (symptoms at home Weds/Thurs). Just don’t want anyone else to get sick so if you were around me at all either of those days and don’t feel well please get checked!”

Kade became the first high-profile casualty of the 2021 Series, which mandated that players be fully vaccinated in order to play – a move which met with the approval of most, but met with some resistance.

While the likes of Chris Moneymaker insisted it would make him more likely to play, leading female player, Kristen Bicknell, railed against the rule.

I am boycotting this utterly illogical tyranny.

I'm tired of playing along with rules and mandates that don't make sense. https://t.co/a4qyRzqEHH

— Kristen Bicknell (@krissyb24poker) August 27, 2021

With news that Vanessa could likely still play the Main Event – which started this week – Todd Witteles, founder of the Poker Fraud Alert website, picked up on Kade’s positive Covid test and Bicknell’s refusal to comply in order to play, and asked the obvious question.

“We REALLY need clarification on this rule ASAP, from @WSOP. If people like @krissyb24poker have to stay home because they're unvaccinated and could POSSIBLY have COVID, you'd think it's more important for verified COVID cases to stay away for enough time. Though I will give Vanessa credit for coming out with this publicly. Some scumbag players would've just hid in their room and covered it up until the Main rolled around, and then quietly sat down. Nothing against her here, but I do want to know when WSOP thinks she can return.”

That time is up as of Friday November 5th, according to Kade, but she has decided that Saturday’s opening flight (of six separate day 1 flights) is preferable.

Extra flights were added to the Main Event schedule to accommodate the change in travel restrictions for those hoping to enter the USA and play the annual Vegas biggie.

That should see numbers pick up as players from as far afield as the UK, India and Brazil are allowed to enter. The 33 countries listed in the new criteria also include the 26 Schengen nations as well as Ireland, China, Iran, and South Africa.

Meanwhile, Doyle Brunson was among the first players to make it through to day two of the Main Event, bagging a healthy stack in the opening session of the flagship tournament.