Born on July 26, 1974 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Daniel Negreanu is a Canadian professional poker player who has won multiple World Series of Poker bracelets and multiple World Poker Tour Championship titles. He is considered one of the best poker players in the world.
His parents left Romania in 1967 and came to the United States to look to start a new life, but ended up settling in in Toronto instead. At age 15, Negreanu considered a career as a professional snooker player, but also learned how to play poker. Shortly later, he was going to pool halls to make money playing poker. He ended up dropping out of high school, even though he was only several credits short of graduation, to begin playing poker professional in local casinos and illegal games around the city. While in Toronto, Daniel met and began dating Evelyn Ng, who would later also become a well-known professional poker player. After building up a decent bankroll, he moved to Las Vegas at the age of 22 to play professional poker there. He fared poorly though and had to move back home to Toronto in order to rebuild his bankroll.
In 1997, he won two events at the World Poker Finals at Foxwoods, earning $55,064. He was also named the tournament's best all-around player. Negreanu followed these wins by winning $169,460 at the $2,000 Pot Limit Hold'em event in the 1998 WSOP. He became the youngest WSOP bracelet winner in history — a record he held until 2004. Over the next few years, he became one of the most successful tournament players, winning two WPT events (for $1.1 and $1.7 million), another three WSOP bracelets, and appearing at 12 final tables. He was also named the WSOP player of the year in 2004 and WPT player of the year in 2005.
In 2008, Negreanu won the fourth-annual British Columbia Poker Championships main event, topping a field of 690 players, earning $371,910 CAD ($299,951 USD). Negreanu was the runner up at the 2009 WSOP Europe, finishing second to Barry Shulman and earning £495,589.
For many years Negreanu has been a regular at the famous "Big Game" at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, playing at limits as high as $4,000/$8,000. Much of Negreanu’s success is attributed to his ability to read opponents.
In 2006, while playing in the $1,000 no-limit hold'em with rebuys, Negreanu made a record 48 rebuys (46 rebuys + 2 add-ons), breaking the WSOP record.
Negreanu has stated that his playing style was heavily influenced by a particular occasion where he played poker at the same table as Stu Ungar. In 1998, at age 23, Negreanu was playing with Stu Ungar in a no-limit game at the Bellagio where he was sitting Ungar's immediate left. This meant that he was always forced to react to Ungar's play. Ungar, being a poker master, completely bullied the table and was in complete control of the table. Negreanu called that evening "the biggest revelation of my poker life".
As of January 2010, his total live tournament winnings are $12,427,047 - second on the all-time money list. He has 42 total cashes at the WSOP.
Year | Event | Prize |
---|---|---|
1998 | $2,000 Pot Limit Hold'em | $169,460 |
2003 | $2,000 S.H.O.E. | $100,440 |
2004 | $2,000 Limit Hold'em | $169,100 |
2008 | $2,000 Limit Hold'em | $204,874 |
The Wynn Las Vegas resort recruited Negreanu as their "Poker Ambassador" to play in their poker room. This job lasted until October 2005, when he quit because it was restricted his ability to play in other high stakes games.
In 2005, Negreanu started his own poker web site, FullContactPoker.com, which includes his blog and poker forums. He also started an online poker room, FullContactPoker but it shut down in 2007. He was known to play at other online poker sites under the screen name "KidPoker". In 2007 Negreanu signed on with PokerStars as a member of Team PokerStars. He has given lessons to celebrities such as Tobey Maguire.
In 2008, Negreanu pubished his book "Power Hold'em Strategy". The book is similar to Doyle Brunson's "Super/System" because it is comprised of contributions from many other poker players, including Evelyn Ng, Erick Lindgren, Todd Brunson, Paul Wasicka, and David Williams. He has written over 100 articles for CardPlayer Magazine and contributed to Doyle Brunson's book, Super System II.
Negreanu has appeared on many poker TV shows such as Late Night Poker, Poker After Dark, High Stakes Poker, and Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament, as well as serving as a commentator and host on Ultimate Poker Challenge.
Negreanu made cameo appearances as a poker player in the film "The Grand", and as himself in the film "Lucky You", and as a poker player in Katy Perry's music video for "Waking Up in Vegas".
Negreanu has always been outspoken, and when he was younger, was considered by many as being very immature. One famous incident which contributed to this reputation was a post he made on the RGP (rec.gambling.poker) USENET group, an online bulletin board. Negreanu posted a verbal attack about Annie Duke, criticizing her table behavior and her personal hygiene. Some say that the post was driven by Negreanu's close friendship with Jennifer Harman. Harman was considered by many as the best female poker player in the world, despite the fact that Annie Duke received much more media attention. Howard Lederer, Duke's older brother, posted a lengthy response defending his sister. Many people pointed to Negreanu's post as evidence that his personality contrasted with his positive public perception. Many people have pointed out that Negreanu has matured a lot over the past few years.
Negreanu resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2005, he married Lori Lin Weber but they later separated in 2007. He still publishes his blog at FullContactPoker about poker and non-poker topics. Being Canadian, Negreanu is naturally a big NHL fan and is often seen wearing an NHL jersey at the poker table. He has been vegan since 2003. After many years living in the US, he received his green card in 2009.
Negreanu has made numerous appearances in charity events (such as “Ante Up for Africa” which raised money for crisis-torn Darfur) and is the founder of the annual “Big Swing” charity golf event.
Log in to post comments
or Register
gimmethemoney on September 23, 2010
????? on January 2, 2009
vjarch15dr on January 6, 2008
skosh on August 31, 2007
DannyBoy on July 1, 2007
darebear on June 26, 2007
KO!!! on March 14, 2007
????? on January 9, 2007
????? on January 9, 2007
Poppyswife on December 31, 2006
????? on December 23, 2006
Unregistered on October 5, 2006
Bender on October 5, 2006
Bender on October 5, 2006
Liahim on August 29, 2006
Liahim on August 29, 2006
jesse shultz on August 19, 2006
DonkeySlayer on August 12, 2006
bad_dog76 on August 11, 2006
Bender on July 29, 2006
HPG ADMIN on July 25, 2006
jarrel on July 25, 2006
alan on July 11, 2006
Unregistered on February 17, 2006
undertaker on November 18, 2005
????? on October 28, 2005
johntexrep on October 18, 2005
Unregistered on October 17, 2005
torontojay on September 22, 2005
Kid Canada on September 19, 2005
I respectfully disagree with you on August 24, 2005
HEADS UP DANNY BOY on August 23, 2005
Unregistered on August 23, 2005
Unregistered on August 23, 2005
devilcards on August 23, 2005
He banged her on August 23, 2005
McDaddy11 on August 22, 2005
McDaddy11 on August 22, 2005
Unregistered on August 21, 2005
JetsFan315 on August 19, 2005
Andy Dick on August 14, 2005
Justin/Justin/nikekid2627 on August 10, 2005
Unregistered on August 9, 2005
McDaddy11 on August 8, 2005
whitewolf on August 2, 2005
Unregistered on July 31, 2005
interested on July 30, 2005
Dave on July 27, 2005
onibaku on July 26, 2005
not american and proud on July 26, 2005
bullet23 on July 25, 2005
DreZZ on July 24, 2005
Unregistered on July 21, 2005
loveland on July 19, 2005
sara on July 19, 2005
Unregistered on July 18, 2005
MikeRizzTheProphet on July 18, 2005
Unregistered on July 17, 2005
Alexa Tagupa on July 13, 2005
Unregistered on July 11, 2005
Unregistered on July 10, 2005
Unregistered on July 10, 2005
Unregistered on July 5, 2005
mercinary mike on July 5, 2005
Where have you gone on June 30, 2005
scotia on June 19, 2005
truth on June 19, 2005
poker on June 14, 2005
Black Aether on June 14, 2005
killerken on June 9, 2005
Unregistered on June 8, 2005
Unregistered on June 6, 2005
Kid Canada on May 28, 2005
Unregistered on May 24, 2005
Vegas Mike on May 20, 2005
PEPINO on May 19, 2005
Dirk Diggler on May 17, 2005
bruce on May 16, 2005
Marina on May 15, 2005
Unregistered on May 13, 2005
crankybull on May 5, 2005
Unregistered on May 3, 2005
Randy / Fan4Life / rktackett on May 1, 2005
loser on April 30, 2005
heads up on April 22, 2005
Ted of Calgary Canada on April 19, 2005
Niccoli Volcoff on April 18, 2005
Without a doubt on April 16, 2005
No one looks dumber at the table on April 8, 2005
Vance Brown of Winnipeg on April 8, 2005
englishcat on April 4, 2005
disgusted on April 3, 2005
y b disgusted on April 3, 2005
Unregistered on April 3, 2005
disgusted on April 3, 2005
Unregistered on April 1, 2005
Unregistered on April 1, 2005
Chris Popovich on March 31, 2005
Unregistered on March 27, 2005
Unregistered on March 20, 2005
Unregistered on March 20, 2005
Dan Chirila, Romania on March 16, 2005
soona on March 16, 2005
Unregistered on March 14, 2005
poker stud on March 6, 2005
Connord on March 1, 2005
Connord on March 1, 2005
Samuel on March 1, 2005
ZAM on March 1, 2005
tommy on February 28, 2005
Drew on February 26, 2005
Dan Chirila, Romania on February 21, 2005
uk defender on February 21, 2005
joe on February 21, 2005
the mighty ducks on February 20, 2005
theboss on February 20, 2005
Dan Chirila, Romania on February 17, 2005
Adam/hockeypoker/usuck on February 17, 2005
uk defender on February 17, 2005
kgb1986 on February 17, 2005
Vegas Mike on February 17, 2005
Dan Chirila, Romania on February 16, 2005
Unregistered on February 16, 2005
Kul2ulPt on February 15, 2005
canuck11 on February 13, 2005
vampyre on February 9, 2005
iveyfan05 on February 7, 2005
Dan Chirila, Romania on February 6, 2005
Vinny V from Southern California on January 27, 2005
russ on January 25, 2005
Unregistered on January 24, 2005
jackpot on January 24, 2005
River J on January 19, 2005
amyjean1110 on January 12, 2005
JenLeo on January 12, 2005
Towle on January 12, 2005
Towle23 on January 12, 2005
Madam Pyro on January 7, 2005
warwick cotterill on January 6, 2005
wolfy14 on January 5, 2005
cognito20 on January 5, 2005
iveyfan05 on January 3, 2005
heigert on January 1, 2005
Eddie on December 30, 2004
Eddie on December 30, 2004
marius on December 28, 2004
sarah on December 28, 2004
hanginace1077 on December 28, 2004
arnie on December 28, 2004
Will Code on December 23, 2004
Hey D Pham on December 21, 2004
reply to "Hey D Pham" on December 21, 2004
Unregistered on December 17, 2004
aquateen on December 17, 2004
D.Pham on December 16, 2004
Phil ACE on December 13, 2004
D.Pham on December 12, 2004
obadiah3 on December 10, 2004
Chad on December 8, 2004
MGComedianAK on December 4, 2004
thedetroitrounder on December 3, 2004
JMT23. on December 1, 2004
chip on November 30, 2004
Rob on November 27, 2004
PHILLY on November 27, 2004
lisalynn on November 27, 2004
slvsc2 on November 26, 2004
djnpa_30 on November 25, 2004
brill on November 23, 2004
richardeum on November 22, 2004
anglfish/heigert on November 18, 2004
bibby on November 17, 2004
cocklepicker on November 16, 2004
slvsc2 on November 16, 2004
angel on November 16, 2004
cameliaflower on November 15, 2004
rossc on November 10, 2004
Sauce171 on November 9, 2004
Theresa/ theresa113 on November 8, 2004
Unregistered on November 7, 2004
Baccardi on November 7, 2004
Baccardi on November 7, 2004
sweete224 on November 6, 2004
Baccardi on November 6, 2004
i hatetheriver on November 5, 2004
Theresa/ theresa113 on November 4, 2004
BudFarmer on November 3, 2004
Chad on November 2, 2004
Whitey on October 31, 2004
BCpokerBoy on October 31, 2004
Michelle on October 31, 2004
A.Y. Jackson on October 29, 2004
RainmanAKQJ on October 27, 2004
RainmanAKQJ on October 27, 2004
santa68 on October 27, 2004
Unregistered on October 27, 2004
mikeca on October 27, 2004
ahh chew on October 26, 2004
Ways Ute on October 26, 2004
retards on October 26, 2004
ron on October 18, 2004
wizardofroz on October 15, 2004
Clay Bertrand on October 14, 2004
killerken Killer_ken_99 on October 9, 2004
pocket7s on October 7, 2004
SELStipes on October 5, 2004
CANADA ROCKS on October 5, 2004
Marina on October 5, 2004
bk. on October 4, 2004
bk. on October 4, 2004
Kirk on October 4, 2004
the next wpt champ champ on October 4, 2004
pkm on October 3, 2004
Cosmin/cos/m206301"richmond.ac.uk on October 2, 2004
Unregistered on September 30, 2004
dan's_fan on September 29, 2004
Joel on September 28, 2004
Unregistered on September 23, 2004
sloozy on September 23, 2004
sussi "Q" on September 23, 2004
Vegassummerlinarea on September 22, 2004
hmm on September 22, 2004
cheryle420 on September 22, 2004
bulldog on September 19, 2004
LocaL R S on September 18, 2004
lynch_chung on September 17, 2004
Daisy_If_Udo on September 13, 2004
Fish on September 11, 2004
Mike Matusow on September 8, 2004
bzzy1 on September 2, 2004
Unregistered on September 1, 2004
Mike Skud/ huge fan / WiseGuy317 on August 29, 2004
leistico on August 28, 2004
flintsword on August 28, 2004
smash on August 27, 2004
Joe C on August 26, 2004
THETWITCH on August 25, 2004
Ivy/IvyBaby?ivybaby30 on August 24, 2004
Unregistered on August 23, 2004
MisterC on August 22, 2004
Jackie/skichick on August 20, 2004
JACOB on August 18, 2004
ElvishLOTRfan on August 18, 2004
rolt4003 on August 17, 2004
sfarhaQQ444 on August 17, 2004
amber on August 17, 2004
cohocorp on August 17, 2004
angell52482 on August 15, 2004
boozer on August 15, 2004
loomis indiana on August 14, 2004
MACK IS GOD on August 12, 2004
bcswan on August 11, 2004
THE CORPORATION -Will on August 10, 2004
smash on August 9, 2004
ElvishLOTRfan on August 8, 2004
smash on August 8, 2004
Jen Jen 21 on August 8, 2004
me_myself_and_ai on August 6, 2004
reindeerjumper on August 5, 2004
Unregistered on August 4, 2004
Jessica on August 3, 2004
Ryan on August 3, 2004
slamdunk on August 3, 2004
Interested Party / robert.stein2 on August 2, 2004
Unregistered on August 1, 2004
Time To Move Out on August 1, 2004
negreanu on August 1, 2004
daredevil21786 on July 29, 2004
Gman on July 27, 2004
bruno on July 26, 2004
Sarah/hockeyfan9868 on July 26, 2004
JOE FROM CHICAGO on July 26, 2004
PrincessDebKay on July 25, 2004
Unregistered on July 23, 2004
phillyscr on July 21, 2004
mtlaf on July 21, 2004
Jay T. on July 21, 2004
drew on July 20, 2004
SlfMade on July 18, 2004
dgrannen on July 18, 2004
what what? on July 15, 2004
THE TRUTH on July 14, 2004
half truth on July 14, 2004
Undeniablu on July 11, 2004
brian on July 9, 2004
Daisy_If_Udo on July 7, 2004
herman007 on July 7, 2004
steve L. on July 4, 2004
Omaha Ed on July 4, 2004
ElRey04 on July 2, 2004
michaelborneman on June 29, 2004
Sandu on June 29, 2004
WrongPro on June 27, 2004
Al_in_TO on June 25, 2004
PRO on June 25, 2004
Ikillwhitepeople on June 24, 2004
zman1979 on June 17, 2004
Little ole me on June 16, 2004
Maverick on May 22, 2004
buckeyedog on May 20, 2004
SP. on May 10, 2004
No, I'm Rick James Bitch on May 10, 2004
YoYo on May 8, 2004
westsidesun on April 17, 2004
I'm Rick James Bitch on April 7, 2004
andy/andy_123/andrew_vajda on March 8, 2004
Armani on February 23, 2004
Oh Canada on February 23, 2004
Ron on January 27, 2004
time is money