“Kid Poker” Lays his Cards on the Table

Poker legend Daniel Negreanu opens up about poker, marriage, and growing up in Toronto.

It’s hard to believe that world-renowned poker champion Daniel Negreanu, who discovered his love of the game at 16, wasn’t always good at poker. “When I first started, I didn’t even know what I was doing; I was learning the game just like anyone else,” he admits. “But I knew there was something to it.” So, while the other kids were doing their homework and playing videogames, Negreanu was learning the ropes by frequenting local pool halls.

Although he can’t quite name one particular person who taught him the game, Negreanu says that he learned the most by watching his opponents. “I would pick up the best qualities from each player and try to incorporate them into my own game,” he says.

The Toronto native attributes his many wins to his impeccable ability to read people. “That’s always been my greatest strength, and it’s what separates me from the average players,” he says. Negreanu thanks his fellow Canucks for helping him acquire this skill. “I would say that growing up in Toronto – the most multicultural city in the world – really helped me to profile different types of people,” he says. “Everyone has different mannerisms that are specific to their background, and learning that is a good training ground for the poker table.”

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Negreanu left Toronto when he was 21, for the warm weather and laid-back lifestyle of Las Vegas. Although he loves life in the City of Lights, he does admit to missing his hometown at times. “I miss Sports Desk and TSN,” he confides.

An internationally acclaimed World Series of Poker champion, Negreanu’s big break came in 1997, when he was named the best all-around player at Foxwoods’  World Poker Final. Entering his very first World Series of Poker (WSOP) event the following year, Negreanu proved that he could play with the big boys by becoming the youngest player ever to win a WSOP bracelet, for which he acquired the nickname “Kid Poker.”

Since then, Negreanu has raked in more career earnings in tournament poker than anyone in the world. His excellent performance in 2004 earned him both the World Series of Poker Player of the Year, and Card Player Magazine’s Player of the Year titles. The poker champ has also dabbled in writing, exemplified by his famed column circulated in 35 newspapers across North America, and by the release of his two books, entitled Hold’em Wisdom and Power Hold’em.

With a long and successful poker career already under his belt, Negreanu is still keeping busy. He keeps a regular blog on his official site, Full Contact Poker, and has launched a new website entitled Poker VT, an online training portal for people who want to learn to play the game like a pro.

Although he faces poker greats on a regular basis, Negreanu never feels intimidated. “I’ve played with a lot of the best players out there, like Phil Ivy, Jennifer Harman, and Doyle Brunson, but I enjoy the challenge,” he says. “I thrive under pressure.”

And thanks to the popularity of celebrity poker, Negreanu has also contended with a long list of athletes and movie stars, but there is one person in particular who hasn’t sat at his poker table. “I would love to play with Barack Obama,” he says. “I’d love to have the chance to pick his brain and get to know him because he seems like a real good guy.”

As a professional poker player, Negreanu is no stranger to gambling. So what was the biggest risk he’s taken so far? “Well, I got married once,” he laughs. “Poker’s not even gambling to me, because I’m good at it, and I’m in control of it … When you’re married to someone else, you give up some control to them, and you never know how it will turn out.” Nevertheless, Negreanu says that he would definitely tie the knot again. “If the opportunity presents itself, I’d love to have a family one day,” he confides.

Despite his tremendous success, Negreanu is very much a regular, down-to-earth guy. His connection to God and his family helps to keep him grounded. “To me, success is not necessarily related to money,” he says. “It means being close to God, and feeling that I’m making the most out of all the gifts I’ve been given … not feeling like I’m selling myself short or being lazy.”

CL: What’s your favourite city?
DN: Las Vegas, Nevada

CL: Who is your favourite singer?
DN: Bob Marley

CL: What are three things you can’t live without?
DN: Golf, poker, and God

CL: What is your next travel destination?
DN: Possibly Costa Rica

www.fullcontactpoker.com