Interview with Daniel Negreanu
- Name: Daniel Negreanu (DN)
- Profession: Professional Poker Player
- Age: 32
- Birthday: July 26, 1974
- Sex: Male
- URL: http://fullcontactpoker.com/
Daniel Negreanu took the poker world by storm when he was named Player of the Year in 2004. His numerous final table appearances and brilliant play captured a new demographic for poker and spawned legions of new players with a “Wanna be like Daniel” eagerness.
Daniel has taken the game of poker to new levels of respectability by blending his formidable poker talent with equal parts of charm, wit and modesty. To date, he continues to be a force to reckon with at the tables and a highly respected icon in the poker community.
At 32 years young, we may have only seen a tiny portion of what he will accomplish and become. Despite his busy schedule, Daniel was gracious enough to give us mad props by taking the time to give Mad Poker Props (MPP) this interview and a glimpse into his world.
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
- Mad Poker Props (MPP): What’s a typical day for you? Do you have a routine or no?
Daniel Negreanu (DN):Totally depends on the day. Some days are golf days, others are gearing up to play in a major poker tournament. Other times it’s all about previewing the hockey schedule, working on my fantasy team, and then watching the games.
- MPP: What’s the first thing you think about or do when you wake up (generally speaking)?
DN:Most of the time I think about what NEEDS to get done immediately and then I try to put everything else off and get the most important thing done.
- MPP: Of course you have loads on your plate right now, what is #1 on your to do list and why?
DN:Finishing my book and keeping up with my deadlines for Card Player, as well as, my syndicated newspaper column.
- MPP: What really makes Daniel… wild?
DN:Vodka and Redbull. That’s why I won’t drink it. I bounce off the walls when I drink that stuff, it’s scary.
- MPP: Distracted?
DN:Fans. Often times, at no fault of their own, they cause me to lose focus during tournaments. On breaks they often take up most of my time and it takes away from my play a bit. That’s just the way it is these days so it’s some I deal with. I try to be as cool about it as possible.
- MPP: Mad?
DN:Lots of things. Politics, religion, United States (U.S.) policies, Bill Frist, injustice.
- MPP: Sad?
DN:The current state of this world. Terrorism is only going to get worse and I think that sending the troops over there (Middle East) only created a more hostile environment for the future. I see no end in sight.
- MPP: Happy?
DN:Golfing, and also my fantasy hockey league. I enjoy that league more than anything and have been in the league since 1996.
- MPP: Nervous?
DN:Stand Up comedy. I love doing it, but it is very scary.
- MPP: Curious?
DN:Dudes? LOL, totally kidding. I am always interested in hearing about history and how we got to this place. Also, various religions and their “rules” intrigue me.
- MPP: Worried?
DN:Not too much worries me. I’m worried about the U.S.. I think a lot of steps have been taken recently that will make the U.S. suffer for years to come.
- MPP: Worst fear?
DN:That I don’t reach my full potential, whether it be in poker or as a man.
- MPP: Daniel’s greatest hope?
DN:End terrorism and racism.
- MPP: Daniel’s dream?
DN:Golf all day, spend time with my kids, enjoy time with friends and family, and never have to “work” again. I’d only “work” when I wanted to, not when I needed to.
- MPP: Since we’re not perfect, we are all selfish in our own ways… what character trait do you feel makes you the most selfish?
DN:Most poker players are selfish by nature. They live a free lifestyle and don’t depend on others for much. The world revolves around them. I’m selfish in ways too, mostly that I need to be at the center of conversation or I feel uncomfortable. I’m a loud dude and sometimes am a little overbearing.
- MPP: Where do you see yourself in 20 years? Do you believe it will happen? How are you going to make it happen and what is your motivation to make it happen?
DN:Financially set and with a family. Playing poker has opened up a lot of doors for me and I think I’ll be just fine for the rest of my life thanks to the game.
- MPP: If you could be like “Bruce Almighty” for 1 day, what would you do or change and why?
DN:I would totally wipe out all violent racists and terrorists from the world.
- MPP: Favorite non-poker book?
DN:Angela’s Ashes.
- MPP: What kind of dog food and snacks do you feed Mushu? Do you keep him on a raw diet (meaning no by-product dog food)?
DN:He’s on the science diet and gets all kinds of good treats. They even make doggie ice cream, LOL.
- MPP: Do you still feel like you are “kidpoker?”
DN:I never really felt like kidpoker in this first place, but I always feel like a kid. I don’t think I’ll ever grow up in the traditional sense, and frankly, why would I want to?
- MPP: If you could choose a poker nick name that you’d be identified as (if you weren’t “kidpoker”), what would you want to be called?
DN:“The Man,” LOL, eventually you go from kid to man, right? Actually, on aFSN show they gave me a cool nickname. It was one of those shows where they hook you up to a heart monitor. They said that I had the heart rate of a tri-athlete even when I was totally bluffing. They called me “Ice King,” LOL.
- MPP: Biggest changes since getting crowned player of the year?
DN:More pressure. Once you win that, it’s hard to repeat. It’s hard to get motivated.
- MPP: If you could make the same amount of money playing with a different profession, what would you do?
DN:Bet on hockey and/or make films.
- MPP: And of course we all want to know when Daniel, Jr is expected?
DN:Since I have no idea, it’s hard to answer that one.
FUN QUESTIONS
- MPP: We hear you love playing golf:
- MPP: What kind of clubs do you use?
DN:Callaway.
- MPP: How far do you hit your driver?
DN:230 yards (yds).
- MPP: What’s your handicap?
DN:I suck. About a 25.
- MPP: What’s your best score?
DN:96.
- MPP: Favorite course every played?
DN:It’s (golf course) in Lake Tahoe, but I forget the name of it.
- MPP: Would you ever consider or want to participate in the celebrity /PGA tournament if you made the cut?
DN:I have and will again. I will be playing in the next one.
- MPP: What club would you use when you are 100 yds from the hole… in the rough… and wind is going towards you at 15 miles per hour (MPH)?
DN:8-iron.
- MPP: Favorite golf pro - besides Tiger Woods or Michelle Wie?
DN:Mike Weir, he’s a Canadian boy.
- MPP: On one of your video diaries you say you hit your 7-iron 125yds… how accurate is that? Out of 10 swings, how many times would you be able to go 125 yds?
DN:That’s when I suck, I’m supposed to hit it closer to 140 yds. If I’m on the range, about 8 of 10 will be 125-130 yds.
- MPP: What kind of clubs do you use?
- MPP: We hear you are a Golden Tee shark:
- MPP: Best score?
DN:-23.
- MPP: Favorite course?
DN:Eagles Peak.
- MPP: How knowledgeable are you on the different rolls/accuracy?
DN:Not very.
- MPP: Favorite trick shot?
DN:It’s on Eagles Peak. I basically go for it on a par 4 over lava rocks and hit the green (a high percentage of the time) from about 290 yds out.
- MPP: Best score?
- MPP: We hear you are a pool shark:
- MPP: We read somewhere you are somewhat of a pool shark… if you were challenged by Jeanette Lee (a.k.a. the Black Widow)… how much of a spot would you need to take the bet, maybe the 7-ball and the break?
DN:I suck at 9-ball and 8-ball, but I’d think I’d need the 5 against her,she’s pretty tough. Even then, I think she’d be the favorite.
- MPP: Do you own a custom cue stick? If not, would you like one?
DN:Yeah, I have an old Jack Adams, but it’s a snooker cue. Snookeris a way better game than the “bang ball” that’s played in North America.
- MPP: Do you use chalk for your hands when you play?
DN:No.
- MPP: We read somewhere you are somewhat of a pool shark… if you were challenged by Jeanette Lee (a.k.a. the Black Widow)… how much of a spot would you need to take the bet, maybe the 7-ball and the break?
POKER QUESTIONS
- MPP: In NL tournament poker, what are the most common mistakes made by intermediate level players these days?
DN:They invest too much of their stack pre-flop with crappy hands.
- MPP: In NL tournament poker, what should players be thinking about when trying to decide how aggressively to defend their blinds?
DN:First of all, are there antes? Then, what is the price I’m being laid? Then, how much of my stack does that represent? Also, can I outplay this person?
- MPP: They say when playing online poker, there are online tells. Have you experienced this? If so what are the most common online tells you notice?
DN:There are some, usually based on how long it takes for someone to click.
- MPP: What’s your favorite game? And what’s your secret/rule for that game/basic strategy in a nutshell?
DN:I like all the games, but Stud 8 or better is the most fun for me. Basically, it’s a game where it’s easy for me to figure out what my opponents have which allows me to play my board cards and use them to bluff or play tricky.
- MPP: If you had AQ unsuited in the big blind (BB), EP raises 6X, 2 and 3 calls, button re-raises 12X, what would you do? Let’s say blinds are 100/200.
DN:I’d never do that, I usually raise 2.5X. If I did that, though, I’d muck my hand pretty quickly.
- MPP: When you’re at home playing a long online tourney, what do you typically eat and what do you do to stay alert and keep your energy up?
DN:Drink lots of water. I don’t drink caffeine at all. I always eat healthy, in fact, I’m a Vegan. I’ll have pasta, or rice, tofu, veggies, bean soup, good stuff.
- MPP: Where do you see online poker in 5 years?
DN:It depends what happens with the U.S. government. With the Democrats winning the house that should help pokers chances as many Republicans have shown that they aren’t big fans of online poker. I think things will be fine, though, since prohibition would never work in the U.S. It never has historically; I don’t see how this will be much different.
- MPP: Since your crowning of player of the year, do you feel that you have forgotten or wronged what is considered your “friends”? Or do you feel that you have more “friends?”
DN:Yikes, I’d like to think I have more friends? LOL. I’m not much of an elitist, I try to be a regular dude.
- MPP: The male to female ratio of poker is so far apart, about 4:1. In your opinion what do you feel is the reason for poker being a male dominant sport?
DN:The history associated to poker wasn’t considered an appropriate forum for women. Also, men in general, have more to ‘prove” and have more issues with their ego and manhood. A lot of poker players are driven by their ego and their thirst for competition. Most women are driven by other things.
- MPP: What do you personally think are (is) the difference is between male/female poker players… intuition or balls being that the math of poker is universal?
DN:Women have better instincts without a doubt and read body language better. Men are slightly better strategists. Women also struggle more with controlling their emotions during losing streaks.
- MPP: Before the FCP poker room went live, where did you mostly play online and what was your screen name?
DN:I played a lot of places. I played at PokerStars as doublesuited.
POKER PROP QUESTIONS
- MPP: As a non prop or someone who has never played as a prop before, what would be your best advice/suggestion for a prop player? What about an online prop player who is multi tabling?
DN:Focus on making sure you get in quality hours and set up a solid routine for yourself and stick to it. Don’t just “play”… work.
- MPP: And knowing your career, long time poker gurus passionate for the game… are you able to tell if a player is a prop? Do you think you’d be able to tell if a player was a prop if you were playing online?
DN:Online I don’t think I’d be able to tell, but they weren’t too hard to spot live. They were generally quiet, yet polite, and played few hands.
- MPP: Again, knowing your poker skill and intelligence, why have you never propped?
DN:I was doing fine on my own and never had to.
- MPP: In your opinion, what do you feel are the advantages and disadvantages of being a prop? In reverse, advantages and disadvantages of being a NON prop? Do you think you can make more money as a non prop (based on your knowledge of what being a prop player entails)?
DN:If I was an online grinder I’d prop for sure. As long as they gave me a flexible schedule I think I’d make more money propping, plus it would be a lot more stable of an income. As far as disadvantages go, that only applies if you are stuck on a schedule, playing in bad games with no choice.
- MPP: Do you think that being a poker prop could improve/help a poker player’s game? Or do you feel that it may be able to be misleading?
DN:I don’t think it should have an effect either way. When you prop, you should still try to play your best game at all times.
- MPP: How do you feel about online poker propping would differ from live propping?
DN:It’s nowhere near the same thing. If a casino hired me to prop, they did in a round about way when I was at Wynn, I would feel obligated to playing host and being friendly to the other players. Not just sitting there like a nit. Online, you don’t really have to worry about any of that. It’s impersonal. If you are a nit, being an online prop is the perfect job for you.
- MPP: If you had a choice, which would you chose? Online or live propping? Which do you feel has a better benefit for a student of poker?
DN:I’d be a live prop for sure since it fits my personality better. Having said that, if I wanted to make the most money, I’d obviously choose to be an online prop.
- MPP: If you where an average Joe, would you be a poker prop? If yes, live or online?
DN:Honestly, I’d be an EXCELLENT live prop. Being a good live prop means that you play short handed, are an action player, and you make people have fun. I think that sums me up perfectly, why, are you hiring? LOL.
- MPP: Online props of course! LOL! Why, you want a job?
DN:If I go broke I’ll keep that in mind.
- MPP:
ok, we all know THAT won’t happen! =)
- MPP:
- MPP: What are your personal opinions on propping in general for the online poker industry?
DN:Frankly, I think online poker rooms should hire props that lose at poker. If a new site opens up with a group of say, 50-100 props who are tight, winning players, they will not only be paid by the online poker room, but they will also bust the customers. The ideal prop for the house is one who thinks he is a great player, but sucks. Games are built around live ones, not props.
U.S. ANTI-GAMING BILL
- MPP: What do you think will happen with the U.S. anti-gaming bill (google news)? How far do think it’ll go?
DN:It remains to be seen what will happen and we won’t know for sure until the end of the year. I was rather surprised to see sites leaving the U.S. marketplace. Full Contact Poker is staying.
- MPP: Do you think (the U.S.) Congress will impose a study commission on regulating online poker? Are you more positive this will happen, unsure or likely no?
DN:It’s likely to happen, but who knows when. Democrats being in power would go a long way towards seeing poker being regulated in the U.S.
- MPP: Will the legal pressures on online poker have any affect on big time poker players… like yourself?
DN:Of course it will. It has already affected everyone in the poker world, not just the top pros.
- MPP: What kind of impact do you feel that the PPA has had on the issue? Are you a supporter of the group?
DN:I am a supporter of the group. They are an integral part of helping to get things done.
WORLD POKER TOUR (WPT) LEGAL ISSUES
* To enter a WPT tournament, players have to pay a fee that funds the prize. They also have to sign a release that gives WPT the right to use or sell their name and image without paying anything to the player. And the casino has to agree not to host tournaments for anyone except WPT. Seven famous players sued WPT in federal court, claiming that the release is too broad to enforce and that WPT’s practices restrict competition in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.
- MPP: Any chance WPT lawsuit will get settled?
DN:Yes, a very good one I think.
- MPP: Does the contract seem less fair now when it did when they first signed it? Basically in the beginning, they weren’t famous, no market power, is that why they signed that contract? Do you think they realize what they were signing?
DN:I think it’s a case of them not having a choice in the beginning, but now there are other options available for them.
- MPP: What would you do to settle the case and get it out of the news?
DN:Very little I could do other than try to talk to the seven people filing. That, and asking the WPT to make some changes to their release to appease them.
- MPP: Do you feel some improvements are warranted now that poker has been so wildly successful?
DN:Yes. It’s very chaotic right now on television. Too much of it is junk and waters down the overall game.
FULL CONTACT POKER (FCP)
- MPP: Can you tell us more about the “Daniel’s Protege” promotion? What are the perks? Where do you see the “protege” promo going?
DN:It’s been awesome so far. Our first winner came second in a WSOP Circuit event winning over $200,000 in just his second tournament. Brian Fidler got to live the life, going to all the cool parties and hanging out with lots of the top players in the world. He also got to learn a few things from me along the way.
- MPP: How did the “Golf Weekend with Daniel Negreanu” turn out?
DN:It was a blast. Every weekend at Daniel’s so far has went extremely well. It’s always a fun get together and a chance for me to connect with some of the people who support FCP.
- MPP: Since the launch of FCP, what has been your most enjoyable experience or experiences?
DN:Without a doubt, filming the protege final table and then watching Fidler go on to finish second in the WSOP Circuit event.
- MPP: What urged you to start doing a video diary? Who are the folks behind the camera we can give credit to?
DN:I think a lot of it had to do with doing those Card Player interviews. After doing those for a while I thought, why not just do it by myself?
- MPP: Do you have a set schedule as to when you play on fullcontactpoker.com?
DN:No, but when I do play I make sure to post in the General Forum that I’m playing and I also let them know at what table.
- MPP: Are there any exciting upcoming events you can tell us about regardingFCP?
DN:Well, we are back up with a new, growing network right now. Over the next little while several other sites will be joining us and the network will be a major force in the online poker world.
- MPP:
Thanks again for taking the time to do this interview with MadPokerProps.com Daniel!