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His luck began to change starting in 1997 when he won two events at the World Poker Finals at Foxwoods, earning himself $133,600 as well as being named the tournament’s best all-around player. Negreanu followed this triumph in the 1998 World Series of Poker by winning $169,460 at the $2,000 Pot Limit Hold’em event and becoming the youngest WSOP bracelet winner in history — a record he held until 2004.
Over the next few years, he became one of the most successful poker tournament players in history, winning two World Poker Tour (WPT) events, another two World Series bracelets, and appearing at 11 final tables. He was also named the World Series of Poker player of the year in 2004.
Upon opening, the Wynn Las Vegas resort recruited him as their “Poker Ambassador” to play for any stake in their poker room. The arrangement lasted until October 2005 when he opted out because it was restricting his ability to play for high stakes outside the Wynn. However, in December 2005 he started his own online poker cardroom “skin” site on his official site, Full Contact Poker, which also includes his blog and a variety of poker forums. He plays at his cardroom under the screen name “KidPoker”. In 2006 he used Full Contact Poker to launch a campaign for a Protege, who Daniel would attempt to mold into a world-class live tournament poker player. In addition, he would buy the Protege in to four $10,000 buy-in events. Daniel’s first Protege was Brian Fidler.
Some of Negreanu’s success is often attributed to his ability to read opponents. When asked about this skill, Negreanu explains the most important aspect he employs is observing what hands his opponents play and how they are capable of playing them.[1]
He has written over 100 articles for CardPlayer Magazine and contributed to Doyle Brunson’s “bible” of poker sequel Super System II. He has tutored on the web as part of Poker School Online and also personally given lessons to celebrities like Tobey Maguire. In addition, it was announced in early 2006 that Negreanu had assembled a team of “Superstar Contributors” to write a book called “Daniel Negreanu’s Power Hold’em Strategy”. Modeled after Brunson’s “Super/System”, the book delves into every aspect of hold’em, and is due to be released in early 2007.
Negreanu’s other televised poker appearances include Late Night Poker, High Stakes Poker and Ultimate Poker Challenge (as a commentator and stand-in host.) He will also be appearing in the third season of Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament.
Negreanu was named “Favorite Poker Player” at the Card Player, Player of the Year Awards Gala in February 2006.
Negreanu is also featured in the 2006 poker video game “Stacked with Daniel Negreanu,” providing tips and hints as to how to play effectively.
Jamie Gold Basic Info:
Gold, 36, is a television producer from Malibu, California. In 2006, he played in his first World Series of Poker main event and won it and 12 million dollars.
Jamie Gold at the 2006 World Series of Poker:
This was Gold’s first year at the WSOP. Before the main event, he played in the $5,000 no-limit event. At the $10,000 buy-in no-limit Hold’em main event, Gold became the chip leader on Day 4, and kept it all the way to the final table, where he proved unstoppable. He won the event and took home the largest prize ever in poker.
Jamie Gold’s Winning Hand: Q-9
It was heads-up between Gold and Paul Wasicka in the wee hours of the morning. When the flop came Queen-8-5, Wasicka bet $1.5 million in chips. Gold moved all-in and Wasicka called. Wasicka showed pockets 10s, but Gold had paired his queen on the flop. The turn was an ace and the river a 4, which did not help Wasicka, and he was out and Gold’s queens were golden, he was the new champ.
Jamie Gold Trivia:
Jamie Gold was pro Johnny Chan’s agent
Gold’s california home poker game was originally started by Frank Sinatra and currently counts Ben Affleck as one of its members.
Gold credits his diet of blueberries as part of his winning poker play, saying they’re “brain food”
Jamie Gold on his Win:
“I got lucky. I played the best poker of my life. I feel real fortunate that the cards came my way…. This never would have happened without these amazing people who love for me and care for me. I have the greatest group of people around me. There’s no question that this would not have happened without them. I’m very needy. I needed massages, water, blueberries, and food. They kept me sane, happy, and focused. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world. Not because of winning the championship, but because of them. These people believed in me for a very long time.”
