For someone so often identified as one of poker’s hardest working and most visible ambassadors, Daniel Negreanu isn’t a big fan of the ‘a-word’.
“I've always kind of hated the word ‘ambassador’ because it sounds so narcissistic and self-important,” says Negreanu in an exclusive chat with PokerOrg’s Craig Tapscott. “I get it, that's what people use as a term, but for me it's like, I play poker, I always have, since I was a kid I was good on camera… I actually — regardless of what people think — I genuinely think of every poker issue in terms of what's best for the majority, not what's best for me.”
Our full video interview is available now — click above to watch, or read on for a taste.
'I have the most cashes of anyone in the world in that format'
It’s widely known (just check out his hats) that Negreanu has another, more formalized role as an ambassador for GGPoker, the company which has taken the reins of the WSOP since the 2024 series. As such, he has the ear of the WSOP management as never before, but does that mean he has an input into the schedule? And if so, what did he think was missing?
“There were two events I asked to have added to the schedule: one was the $25K half and half [NLH/PLO] and the other was a $100K PLO.
“PLO is really hot right now, people are really into PLO, the numbers are great, a lot of people with a lot of money like to play it. I love the idea of the mixed format: half no limit, half PLO, and I'm pretty sure I have the most cashes of anyone in the world in that format by a good number.
“I think it's it's the best of both: I think every PLO player will play it, because they're, like, ‘Whatever, I can deal with hold’em but I get PLO’, and I think what you'll also see is some no limit hold’em players who think ’Okay, I'm going to go in there and I'll just try to play tight in the PLO and push my edges in no limit'. Well, good luck. We'll see how that works out for you!”
‘There’s no way in hell I’m playing one of those’
So now we know what Negreanu is looking forward to playing, but we also get some insight into what he won’t be.
With the $25K Fantasy Draft — which Negreanu organizes — having taken place on Day 1 of the series, Negreanu has made peace with starting a little later than he otherwise might. In fact, he won’t be sitting down to play for a few days, for various reasons.
“There’s the $1K Mystery Millions,” says Negreanu, “I don’t want to play that because Day 2 runs into all sorts of other events I want to play.” Then there’s the $5K NLH, which he’s also sworn off. “There's no way in hell I'm playing one of those, never. The worst possible option for me is a midstakes no-limit hold’em… There's no shot clock, people are trying way too hard to win money, they're stalling… I can't put up with it, I can't deal, so I skip those.”
Then there’s the $1,500 O8, which one might think would appeal to his deep love of Omaha, but which will also be passed over. “I like the $1,500 O8; the problem is the structure is really slow and it takes two full days to cash.”
So is Negreanu following in Phil Hellmuth’s footsteps and considering a tap on the brakes when it comes to the biggest series in live poker? Don’t bet on it.
“The next day [after the O8], however, is PLO, so I’m actually going to skip the first two days of the WSOP for the first time ever. It picks up after that and I don’t think you’ll see another day off for the whole way.”
Knowing that Negreanu is planning to play an almost-completely-full schedule will be good news to those for whom he is — for want of a word he hates less — an 'ambassador' for poker. It’s also good news for those who pick him in the PokerOrg Fantasy Freeroll.
With a full slate of events to play, Negreanu could be a great pick for any fantasy team, and could net anyone who picks him a ton of points towards a free $10K main event seat or package.
He’s available for $108 of a team’s $200 budget — all imaginary, of course, the PokerOrg Fantasy Freeroll is completely free to play.
Will you put him in your team? Head to the PokerOrg Fantasy Freeroll page now to pick your team, or here to find out more!
