Daniel Negreanu

Poker is like no other game in the world. Much as it is played by many people in America and the whole world, few people can actually be said to be legends in the game. For the few who are regarded as poker heavyweights, their biographies and profiles read like fiction, like they all came from not so nice backgrounds, before making their permanent marks in the books of poker greats. An example of such poker greats is Daniel Negreanu.

Daniel’s parents are said to have left their mother country Romania, in 1967 at the height of communism. They set off determined to go to the USA, but ended up in Toronto where his dad worked as an electrician. It was here that this great poker player was to be born and by the age of 15, he was already trying to act in comedies. However, as he continued to perfect his skills in acting, so did he learn a little about poker and by 16 years he was spending much of his time in pool halls, sports betting and even playing cards.

As fate would have it, Daniel dropped out of school at the age of 18 shortly before graduating, to spend more time playing poker. He tried desperately to make trips to charity casinos and at times had to play illegal games to supplement his play. He once even tried his luck as a telemarketer, but not for long. However, at 21 Daniel made that important trip to Las Vegas with the little money he had managed to save, with an intent to play with the finest poker players in Las Vegas Daniel was not to be seen again in Toronto for 7 good months, only for him to return broke, with no money, but as determined as never before. Whatever it is he had seen in Las Vegas, Daniel played several games in Toronto and once he saved enough, again left for Las Vegas, this time for good.

Around this time, Daniel lost his father and the fact that he was now on his own only strengthened his resolve to play professional poker. In 1997, he had his first meaningful win including two wins at the World Poker Finals in Foxwoods. He was named the best player of that tournament. Determined and with more cash, he entered the WSOP in 1998 and won that event. By winning US$ 2,000 pot-limit hold’em, he was to become the youngest bracelet winner and held this title until 2004. This gave birth to his nick name “Kid poker”.

But one of his greatest wins was in 2004, where he took a gold bracelet in the WSOP for limit holdem. He went ahead to claim the ESPN Toyota player of the year award. In that same year, he won the Bogotá open which had a prize of US$ 1,117,400, then won the Five diamond world poker classic. This classic tournament had a prize of US$ 1,770,218 which he comfortable scooped. This was his year and to date, he is among the players who have won the most money and in 2006, he was welcomed in the WOSP player advisory board. He is among the pioneers who came up with the H.O.R.S.E event which has a prize of US$ 50,000. Suffice it to note that to date, Daniel Negreanu continues to bask in that glory and people seem to never get enough of him. He is the poker ambassador at the Wynn Las Vegas, which means that he can play for any stakes in that poker room. He also won the award of the most “favorite poker player” and is also featured in a video game, “Stacked with Daniel Negreanu”.

Despite all these wins and honors, the “Kid poker”, as Daniel is popularly known, he is still humble and simple. Ever lively, vibrant and always smiling, one would be fooled to assume that this man is harmless in poker tournaments. He is undoubtedly one of the most visible personalities in the poker scene and represents the younger generation of poker players. He has a passion for the game and is on record as saying that he will strive to make people see poker as a healthy profession, even if it is not traditional. As such, he gives lessons on poker, has an online gaming website and even tutors celebrities on playing poker.

Just like his cool looks, Daniel’s style of play is calculative and relies on his ability to read his opponent’s moves. He has used this unique ability, coupled with his deceiving looks to frustrate and scare most poker heavyweights. In fact as fans adore him and get inspired by him, opponents on the other hand are wary of him and regard him as a ruthless and calculating player capable of turning the tables within seconds to his favor.

He presently lives in Las Vegas with his wife.

Posted by Joel on May 1 2010. Filed under Player Profiles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry