‘You don’t have any leverage’ – Negreanu on poker’s power shift at WSOP Paradise

“If you're a professional, you don't just get to play,” Negreanu said. “This is part of a bigger conversation where successful businessmen have realized they have all the leverage. 

“You know, a lot of professional poker players over the years have said, ‘We need this.’ How about this? You don't have any leverage. You're the ones who make money. Let the guys who provide, they get the final say." 

While the player pairs don’t play as a team, they will often have a piece of each other or some other sort of deal that binds them. Negreanu said they might swap 30%, or the VIP might buy a piece of the pro’s action.

Triton Poker co-founder Richard Yong was playing in the Invitational at the 2025 WSOP Paradise.

Leveling the playing field

Negreanu went on to say that the format Triton came up with is clever – leveling the playing field between pros and VIPs, “but not in such a way that's ridiculous.”

On Day 1 of the Invitational, the pros play together and the VIPs play together. And, when the players merge on Day 2 to play down to the money, Negreanu said the VIPs will often have the biggest stacks. 

“Now, typically what you're going to see is as you're getting close to the bubble, because of that setup, the VIPs are more likely to have big stacks, right?" Negreanu said. "Because pros are going to be in a tougher spot – it’s harder to build chips against really good players. 

“So, there are a couple strategic ideas you can have on day one. Either you just want to get through it… or you can go ham. It's up to you.”

The other rule Triton added is that VIPs get two re-entries, while pros only get one – and must re-enter the tournament within an hour of busting.

“Again, that ensures the quality of the ecosystem... so it's not overrun by pros who are just rebuying,” Negreanu explained. “So, you can't just bust level two as a pro, buy in at the end, and then get a table with the VIPs on the next day.”

Phil Ivey busted early on Day 1 and didn't exercise his one-hour re-entry option.

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$7.7 million for the winner – but will it be a pro or VIP?

At Paradise, the Invitational got 133 entries in total. 

Phil Ivey was one of the pro casualties early on Day 1, busting in a fairly brutal spot in level 2. He did not exercise his one-hour option to rebuy and, according to Ali Nejad on Triton commentary, has now left The Bahamas.

At the time of writing, Negreanu is still alive – in 24th place with 725,000 (36bb).

There are 41 players remaining, and 23 will get at least the $389,000 min cash. The exciting stuff lies at the top, though, with the winner set to get an incredible $7,725,000, along with a Triton trophy and a WSOP bracelet. Will it go to a pro or a VIP? 

Action will play down to the final table tonight, and the remaining players will return on Tuesday to play for the huge first-place money.