Oh, What a Night: Corky Eden's Wild Ride at the WSOP

For those of you who know Corky, you know she isn't your typical poker player—not by a long shot. And for those of you who don't know Corky, well, you should. With that being said, there's nothing typical about diving headfirst into a World Series of Poker (WSOP) event with thousands of opponents from around the globe and lasting well into the midnight hours. Still, that's exactly what she did. And though she didn't walk away with a bag of chips for Day 2, she walked away with something just as valuable: perspective, pride, and a heart full of gratitude.

It all started with a bang—her first break saw her climb up to 56,000 in chips. “Loving the 8max,” she noted, relishing the extra space and flexibility at the table. Feeling more comfortable, Corky was able to open up her range and play with a bit more freedom. But as all poker players know, the tournament grind is a wild ride, and things turned quickly.

By the second break, her stack had dipped to 41,000. A tough loss—a rivered flush cracking her two top pair—cut deep. But with 40 big blinds still in play and thousands already knocked out, there was no time for self-pity. Over 3,700 players were in the mix by then. The road was long, but Corky was still on it.

As the tournament hit the dinner break, Corky found herself down to 34,000 in chips. The blinds were about to jump to 3,000, and over 4,000 competitors had now signed in. The strategy became simple: push/fold, stay focused, and wait for the right moment. And then it came—pocket jacks held up in a pivotal hand, and suddenly she had 85,700 chips in front of her. Momentum returned. Shortly after, her K/Q held strong against a 50k all-in, and she found herself climbing to 130,000 chips by Level 16. It was, in her words, "Crazy, crazy."

But as all seasoned players know, poker has no favorites. In one of the most dramatic and heartbreaking turns of the night, Corky found herself facing a familiar situation. Holding pocket queens and feeling the pressure of the rising blinds and fatigue, she went all-in over a min-raise. Another player also revealed pocket queens—only to watch as the chip leader on the button, with AK, called both. One ace on the board, and just like that, Corky's run came to an end.

Out on Level 21. No bag, no tag, just one unforgettable night.

Still, Corky isn’t hanging her head. Sure, there's the sting of hindsight—"should have just called," she reflected—but there's also a genuine appreciation for the experience. Playing deep into the night with opponents young enough to be her kids, Corky finished 487th out of over 4,600 players and cashed for $1647. In a game of skill, stamina, and sometimes cruel luck, that's no small feat.

“I know I must sound like I’m accepting an award or something,” she wrote afterward, “and I’m truly disappointed that I did not bag and tag for today’s play. But I want to just give big hugs and a thank you to all of you who railed for me last night.”

In a world full of fast hands and faster exits, Corky played with heart and humility. And while she may not have taken home a bracelet, she walked away with something just as meaningful: a story worth telling, and a night worth remembering.

Congratulations on a wonderful WSOP run.

The entire Misfits Family is incredibly proud of you!