Daniel Negreanu has called for action against a “disruptive, problematic” player at the WSOP, accusing him of behavior that has crossed the line into harassment.
He also claimed that the player was responsible for “five or six players” deciding not to play the $250K Super High Roller. In his latest vlog, Negreanu says that he “would have banned him five years ago.”
Negreanu doesn’t name the player but says, “You can guess.”
His comments appear to be directed at Martin Kabrhel. Negreanu had a run-in with him during the $250K event, which is still ongoing. Both Negreanu and Kabrhel are out, and the final table gets underway at 2pm on Monday in Las Vegas.
Negreanu: Something has to be done
“Alright, we’re going to have a quiet discussion,” Negreanu says in the vlog as he huddles with Jason Koon.
“There’s a gentleman in this tournament that has actively, because he’s in this tournament, caused about five or six people we would have liked to have in this tournament… is that a fair guess?” Negreanu asks Koon.
“Yeah, I’ll take the over,” says Koon.
“He says more than five or six,” Negreanu says, turning and pointing at Vinny Lingham, one of the businessmen who played the event.
“Problematic, disruptive, over the line,” Negreanu continues. “I would have banned him five years ago. We’re not even going to name him, you can guess. Just gross. We’re having that discussion with the floor people, something’s got to be done.”
“We all love table talk,” Koon says. “I love banter, I like people getting excited. I even like a little shit-talking, but once it crosses the line to abuse and harassment, come on man, you’re just ruining everyone’s experience.”
Negreanu got into it with Kabrhel earlier in the tournament, which was captured by PokerOrg.
WSOP $250K numbers down
The 2026 WSOP Super High Roller attracted 56 entries, seven fewer than in 2025.
If Negreanu is correct, this year’s event would have hit 2025 numbers if the people put off playing had sat in.
By pointing toward Lingham during the conversation, Negreanu appeared to suggest that wealthy recreational players were among those put off entering.
Many other players have publicly complained about Kabrhel's table behavior this summer, including David ‘ODB’ Baker.
On the flip side, Kabrhel does attract an audience.
He went deep in the $10K Super Turbo Bounty on Sunday and a huge rail built up to watch (and listen to) Kabrhel. He conducted the rail and took selfies with them, and when he was eliminated in 21st position, the rail vanished.
He has his fans, that much is clear.
Not everyone was entertained, however. Kabrhel was also involved in a heated exchange with Martin Zamani during the same event.
If Negreanu's estimate is accurate and players chose not to enter the $250K because of Kabrhel's presence, the WSOP may feel pressure to address the issue.
With influential voices such as Negreanu and Koon raising concerns publicly – and actively talking with the floor – this story may not be over yet.
