Remembering poker prodigy Dan Sewnig (1990 – 2024)

Lea Hogg August 19, 2024

SiGMA news

Remembering poker prodigy Dan Sewnig (1990 – 2024)

Online poker player and circuit ring winner Dan Sewnig passed away earlier this week at the age of 33. Known in the poker community by his handles “mj23style” and “RedsoxNets5”, Sewnig amassed over a million dollars in online earnings and was recognised as one of the best online poker players in New Jersey.

Reports of Sewnig’s death surfaced on social media with an obituary confirming he passed on 13 August. The obituary highlighted his success as a self-employed professional in the poker world, his athletic prowess, and his love for various games, running, hiking, nature walks, and basketball.

Sewnig learned poker from his cousin at the age of 11. By the time Chris Moneymaker won the 2003 Main Event, Sewnig was already playing $5 sit and gos with his seventh-grade friends. He recalled a memorable moment when he predicted Moneymaker’s victory, despite not knowing the shows were prerecorded.

Sewnig graduated from Ramapo College of New Jersey with a degree in math and a concentration in education. He initially aimed to become a teacher but decided to explore the newly regulated online poker market in New Jersey. This decision proved fruitful as he quickly built a reputation as one of the best online players in the region.

In December 2020, Sewnig shared with PokerNews how he dedicated 18 months to improving his game. “I’ve put more work into studying and improving over that timespan than I have in the rest of my career combined. I’ve also done a much better job of dealing with adversity. Downswings are inevitable in poker and people react to them in all different types of ways.”

Sewnig’s poker accomplishments included a World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOP) ring victory in 2022, earning him $12,107, and back-to-back deep runs in the WSOP Main Event in 2021 (79th – $81,000) and 2022 (112th – $62,500).

“One of the Nicest Guys You Could Ever Meet”

When news of Sewnig’s death reached the poker community, several players remembered him for his positivity and kindness. Asher Conniff described Sewnig as “one of the nicest guys you could ever meet,” while Matt Paoletti noted that he “brought a lot of positivity to many people.”

Condolences poured in on social media from notable figures in the poker world, including Christian Harder, Daniel Strelitz, Jeff Stellwagon, Mike Holtz, Ryan Feldman, and Chris Hunichen. Sewnig’s legacy as a talented poker player and a beloved friend will be remembered by many.