Daniel Negreanu

  • Name: Daniel Negreanu

  • Nickname: Kid Poker

  • Current Residence: Las Vegas, Nevada

  • DOB: July 26th of 1974

  • Birth Place: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  • Sponsored by: PokerStars

  • WSOP Bracelets: 4

  • Total Winnings: $12,583,677 (March 2010)

  • Marital Status: Single (Divorced)

  • Age Started Playing Poker: 15

Who is Daniel Negreanu?

Born in Canada to Romanian immigrant parents, Daniel was, until Gavin Griffin in 2004, the youngest ever player to win a WSOP bracelet; he won his first bracelet when he was only 23 years old. When he was 21 he dropped out of high school to pursue a poker career. He is surely one of the most naturally skilled poker players on the circuit. Daniel is also one of the most liked poker players thanks to his outward personality.

Not only is he a poker player, but also a prolific writer. His blog is one of the most popular poker blogs because he always comes out with his opinions no matter what others may think. He also profiles as a books' author, he contributed to Doyle Brunson's ‘Super/System 2' which is the sequel to what some call the best poker book ever written and wrote his own book ‘Power Hold'em Strategy' in 2008.

Negreanu won the title of "Favorite Poker Player" in 2006 during the CardPlayer Magazine of the Year Awards Gala. He married Lori Lin Weber in August 2005 and they separated in November 2007. Daniel Negreanu has been a strict vegan since 2003 and loves to eat the meals cooked by his mom.

When Daniel is not playing poker he likes to support several charities in Canada. Some of them are the Make a Wish Foundation and he also plays in a lot of charity poker tournaments, or if not supporting a charity he's often found at the golf course.

Where does the nickname ‘Kid Poker' come from?

Daniel Negreanu got his nickname ‘Kid Poker' because he was always the youngest player at the table. He thinks he will one day grow out of it, but everyone still remembers how he got his first bracelet with only 23 years.  

Public Perception and Reputation: A real good boy.

Daniel Negreanu is perceived as one of the friendliest players. At the tables, in interviews and even in his blog he is always straighforward and honest. He always holds a smile and seems cheerful during games; many think that it could be a fake habit but he has proven to be a kind, genuine person. He has a reputation of having a positive attitude, both in his game and real life.

As a player he is feared for his natural gambling skills and for being uncannily talented at reading his opponents. He is not shy about his poker results, unlike many others, and he updates them on posts at the forums of Full Contact Poker. One of his weak spots, some say, is that he always says the first thing that comes to his mind and manages to upset some people once in a while; however, he considers this a good thing and thinks it has helped him to become a better and happier person.

Poker Techniques

At the tables Daniel often wears a Toronto Maple Leafs hockey jersey and he often listens to relaxing music while playing. He is known for his ability to read his opponents. He has admitted that one of the reasons why he chats to his opponents, apart from enjoying himself, is that this way he gets them to feel more comfortable and act more naturally so he can read them more easily.

He is known for watching Rocky films before his games, he says the music in the films motivates him.

Media Exposure