Daniel Negreanu is one of the most successful, universally recognized professional poker players of our time. After only 12 years of live tournament career cashes, Negreanu has finished in the money in 123 events. Of those, 25 were first place finishes, including 4 WSOP bracelets wins and 2 WPT titles.

His total live tournament career earnings add up to $12,059,144 – even more than 2009 WSOP Main Event final tablist and 7-time WSOP bracelet winner Phil Ivey. Negreanu is a member of Team PokerStars Pros, alongside fellow poker pros Barry Greenstein, Chris Moneymaker, Joe Hachem, Greg Raymer, Peter Eastgate and more.

Daniel Negreanu is well known for his willingness to help other poker enthusiasts rise to the ranks of pros. He is a virtual human poker resource, having written over 100 poker related articles, and contributed to the writing of Doyle Brunson’s “Super System II”. Daniel Negreanu often acts as a tutor to flourishing young poker players at ‘Poker School Online’.

Daniel Negreanu’s Early Days

Daniel Negreanu, born July 26, 1974, grew up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where it was obvious at a young age that he was destined for greatness. What remained up for debate would be his chosen profession, as he excelled at so many things – intelligence being a key element among them.

By the time Negreanu was 15, he had his eyes set on a professional snooker career. However, at 16, Daniel discovered the game of poker, and his future’s path was laid in stone. He began spending much of his spare time in pool halls, playing poker, hustling and betting on sports.

When Daniel was just a few credits shy of graduating high school, he dropped out to pursue a professional career as a “rounder”; someone who seeks out high stakes games, using acute skills to take advantage of less experienced opponents. He sought out underground poker games in the Toronto area, and frequented Casino country, among other local charity casinos.

Daniel Negreanu continued to build his bankroll until at the age of 22, he departed Canada for the bright Lights of Las Vegas. He hit the poker tables with wide-eyed excitement, finally following his dream of becoming a professional poker player. Unfortunately, his first attempt didn’t go so well. His bankroll depleted, Daniel was forced to return to Toronto to start restocking his poker stash once more.

Daniel Negreanu’s Poker Career

It didn’t take Daniel long to build a new bankroll, and in December of that same year, 1997, he was back on the road, headed for Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut. This time, Negreanu would see the ultimate success he was vying for in his failed Vegas rendezvous. He finished in 1st place at the World Poker Finals for $38,400. He followed that with 2 respectable cashes at the 1998 LA Poker Classic.

Just a few months later, Daniel Negreanu was back in Las Vegas for the 1998 World Series of Poker (WSOP) where he took his first major cash of $169,460 for a 1st place, bracelet worthy finish in a PL Omaha event. Daniel Negreanu’s poker career has continued to flourish ever since on a non-top road to victory.

Daniel Negreanu Live Tournament Stats

Cashes: 123

First Place Finishes: 25

Career Earnings: $12,059,144

Largest Cash: $1,770,218 (Five-Diamond World Poker Classic II, WPT 3; 1st place)

WSOP Bracelets: 4

WPT Titles: 2

Daniel Negreanu’s WSOP Bracelets

Daniel Negreanu’s first World Series of Poker bracelet came in the 1998 WSOP, only the fourth live tournament cash of his career. He would go on to claim 3 more WSOP bracelets in 2003, 2004 and 2008 WSOPs. You can view the details of Daniel Negreanu’s WSOP Bracelet wins below.

  1. April 29, 1998: WSOP Event #9 Pot Limit Hold’em – $169,460

  2. May 7, 2003: WSOP Event #23 Limit S.H.O.E. – $100,440

  3. May 6, 2004: WSOP Event #15 Limit Hold’em – $169,100

  4. June 10, 2008: WSOP Event #20 Limit Hold’em – $204,874

Of all Daniel Negreanu’s WSOP appearances, he has seen 42 cashes worth more than $3.4 million. Negreanu also finished 2nd in the 2009 WSOP Europe, pocketing another $807,148.

Daniel Negreanu’s Most Notable Notations

Daniel Negreanu has authored a plethora of poker strategy related materials. In May of 2008, his own book, Power Holdem Strategy, hit the stands. He contributed to the writing of Doyle Brunson’s Super System II. He has contributed more than 100 articles to Card Player Magazine.

Negreanu was featured in “Stacked, with Daniel Negreanu”, a video game released in 2006 that provides hints and tips on how to win as you play the game. He also made a cameo appearance in the film X-Men Origins: Wolverine, where he played poker against mutant character Gambit.

He opened his own online poker resource at PokerVT.com.

Daniel Negreanu Now

Daniel Negreanu is in his mid-30’s, residing in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was married to Lori Lin Weber in 2005, but the couple divorced in 2007. Daniel is an extreme NHL (National Hockey League) fan, and is often seen donning NHL jerseys, especially of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He stated once on ‘Poker After Dark’ that he actually considered turning down the tournament invite because it was scheduled right in the middle of hockey season.

You can watch Daniel Negreanu, or challenge him directly, at one of the top poker sites PokerStars. Daniel Negreanu is a member of Team PokerStars, and plays online poker exclusively at the online poker room.

By Cathy Roberts
Cathy Roberts has her finger on the pulse of online poker. She’s been published in three magazines, and numerous online poker websites, in addition to being the editor in chief at 4flush.com If you find yourself in need of fresh poker content for your own website, email Cathy @ Cathy @ 4flush.com