Daniel “Kid Poker” Negreanu
Daniel "Kid Poker" Negreanu
Daniel Negreanu (pronounced as “Ne GRAH new”) was born in Toronto, Canada on July 26, 1974. He learned to play poker when he was 15 and dropped out of high school just one credit short of graduation, and began his life as a rounder playing at the local charity casinos and looking for illegal games around the city. At 21 after building up his bankroll, he left for Las Vegas, however “The Strip” got the better of him and he was forced to move back home to Toronto to rebuild his bankroll.
In 1997 when Daniel won two events at the World Poker Finals earning himself $133,600 as well as being named the tournament’s best all-around player. He backed up his efforts when he, at the first WSOP he attended in 1998 won the $2,000 pot-limit Texas Hold’em event giving him $169,460 and the title of becoming the youngest WSOP bracelet winner in history at the age of 23 — a record he held until 2004.
That earned him the nickname “Kid Poker,” which he got because he was always the youngest kid at the poker table. He says that eventually he’ll “have to grow out of it, though. When I get to be, like, 50, ‘kid’ won’t fit.”
Over the next few years, he became one of the most successful poker tournament players in history, winning over $6 million at tournaments, winning two WPT titles, another two WSOP bracelets, and appearing at 11 final tables.
He was also chosen the 2004 Card Player Magazine Player of the Year.
Upon opening, the WYNN Las Vegas resort recruited him as their “Poker Ambassador” to play for any stake in their poker room. The arrangement lasted until October 2005 when he opted out because it was restricting his ability to play for high stakes outside the Wynn.
Daniel is known for his ability to “read” other players, gathering information about his opponent’s hand by studying their betting patterns and physical expressions. In his own words: “At the highest levels everyone has a decent understanding of the math. Feel, or psychological warfare is what it’s all about. I honestly don’t think that a pure math guy has much of a chance in those games because they aren’t psychologically prepared for the game.” At the table, Negreanu is a friendly, chatty presence at the table who’s fun to watch and easy to spot — just look for the dyed-blonde hair and a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey. He’s very skilled at reading other players and using the information he picks up to his advantage. He says that he chats up other players not only because he likes to enjoy himself at the table, but also because “when you get people talking, you put them at ease; they start acting more naturally, and become easier to read.” Negreanu has said top players need “discipline, talent, and fundamental knowledge” as well as “a disregard for money. You must be willing to go broke.”
Career Highlights:
- 1997: Best All Around Player, World Poker Finals.
- 1998: WSOP $2,000 Pot Limit Hold’em at age 23. First WSOP event ever played.
- 1999: United States Poker Champion.
- 1997-1999: 12 major tournament wins, more than any other player.
- 2000: Played exclusively live action in Las Vegas at the Bellagio.
- 2001: 11th in the main event at the WSOP.
- 2001: Legends of Poker 7-card stud, 1st
- 2002: Best All around Player at the L.A.P.C.
- 2002: Legends of Poker 2002 Event # 5 7- Card Stud, 1st
- 2002: Legends of Poker 2002 Event # Omaha Hi/Lo, 1st
- 2002: Legends of Poker 2002 Event # Omaha Hi/Lo split, 2nd
- 2002: Legends of Poker 2002 Event # No Limit Holdem, 1st
- 2002: Hall of Fame Poker Classic, Limit Holdem, 1st
- 2002: Four Queens Poker Classic, Limit Holdem, 2nd
- 2002: World Series of Poker, Limit Hold ‘em Shootout, 6th
- 2003: World Series of Poker, S.H.O.E, 1st
- 2004: World Series of Poker – $2,000 Buy-in Limit Hold’em Event
- 2004: World Series of Poker – $2,000 Buy-in S.H.O.E. Event
- 2004: Orleans Open, No-Limit Hold’em Championship, 6th
- 2004: Championship Poker at the Plaza, No-Limit Hold’em, 1st
- 2004: Party Poker Million III, Limit Hold’em Championship Final Day, 2nd
- 2004: Caribbean Adventure, No-Limit Hold’em, 3rd
- 2004: World Poker Tour Five-Diamond World Poker Classic – $15,000 Buy-in No Limit Hold’em Event
- 2004: 2004 World Poker Tour Borgata Poker Open – $10,000 Buy-in No Limit Hold’em Event
- 2006: Named “Favorite Poker Player” at the Card Player, Player of the Year Awards Gala in February.
Other interesting facts about Daniel Negreanu is that he will be featured in the upcoming movie, X-Men Origins: Wolverine. He is also a vegetarian who doesn’t smoke, and he has never done drugs. He enjoys fantasy sports, especially hockey and during tournaments, he listens to relaxing sounds, like ocean waves
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