Daniel Negreanu

Yes, they play poker in Canada. Some natives of that country play quite well. Daniel Negreanu, 35, has established himself among the poker greats with four World Series of Poker bracelets and two wins on the World Poker Tour. He was also named Card Player magazine’s Player of the Year in 2004. (Wikipedia) Only Phil Ivey is ahead of Negreanu in money won playing professional poker.

This young player, sometimes called “Kid Poker,” was born in Toronto to parents who were natives of Romania. Negreanu started playing poker in his teens and was activity involved in sports betting and gambling at a very early age. His life history shows an early taste for finding poker games in his home city and he soon started making his living at the green felt tables.

He moved his “game” to Las Vegas when he was just 22 but he didn’t have as much success as he would have liked. After returning home for awhile to regroup he finally broke through in professional poker in 1997, winning at the World Poker Finals and taking home more than $50,000. He added a win in the World Series of Poker Pot Limit Hold ‘Em event in 1998 and was on his way to becoming a world-class poker celebrity.

Negreanu has since added three more WSOP bracelets, making the final table 12 times in the process. He has parlayed this success into a career as both a poker player and poker mentor. He is known in the poker world for taking an aspiring player under his wing, paying large entry fees so the unknown player can compete and learn in a larger setting.

Reading some of the material Negreanu has produced for magazines, books and online, the student will find that this young pro puts a lot of emphasis on observing what his opponents do and reading others players for signs of how capable they are. His is a familiar face on “Poker After Dark,” “High Stakes Poker” and other television shows.

Negreanu is the author/editor of a 2008 book “Power Hold ‘Em Strategy” that includes contributions from some of the top names among a new generation of poker players. His WSOP record includes: 1998 Pot Limit Hold ‘Em; 2003 SHOE; 2004 Limit Hold ‘Em; and 2008 Limit Hold ‘Em. He has used some of his $12 million poker winnings to establish such charities as “Ante Up For Africa” and “Big Swing” charity golf tournament.