My Poker Idol

If there was one person who I could play poker with or even sit down and pick his brain, it would Daniel Negreanu. For me, he is one of the best all rounded players on the poker circuits. He definitely has the poker skills. He has won almost $10,000,000.00 as of January 1st 2007. But it is not this large amount of money that attracts me to him; it is player to player skills.

He has the ability to read most players, avoid traps laid by the best players, and loves to converse. Watching another player equally skilled who is quiet and avoids any contact with others is just boring compared to Daniel. Watching him on the PPT circuit this past month has been the highlight of every Saturday for me. He tries to get into others heads by saying exactly what he thinks they have and then the next hand it might be the complete opposite and talk about how weak his hand is. He will show one card after he steals a pot to try to get at other players. Or he might show both when he has the goods, to let players know he might have AA or he might only have 9 7. You just never know.

His nick name “Kid Poker” has stuck with him. He was the youngest player to earn a WSOP bracelet in 1998 and held that title until 2004. Before poker, Daniel was a pool hustler. This is another passion of mine (not hustling but losing at pool).

I think Daniel is one of the most colourful poker players out there and he has been good for poker. He promotes poker in Canada and is a fine example for any upcoming player. He has poker etiquette and although I have never met him, I am told is just as nice off the table.