Annie Duke and Daniel Negreanu
Annie Duke and Daniel Negreanu are in the news again but fortunately not together. The last time they appeared in the same news item it did not make good copy.
Annie Duke is now the Commissioner of the Epic Poker League, which is reportedly in the process of an acquisition deal with Pinnacle Entertainment. In an interview given to The Las Vegas Sun Annie was dismissive of the younger poker professionals. Annie said, “When somebody wins the Main Event, in general, they are known for a little while, and that’s kind of it. There are lots and lots of winners in the last five years, yet none of them have become huge stars and none of them have been able to generate the ratings that the original poker players did. The players falling into this class were named as Viktor “Isildur1” Blom, Tom “Durrrr” Dwan, Jonathan Duhamel and Pius Heinz. Incidentally Duhamel has had huge cashes in the big events at the PCA 2012. Annie said that if people from Middle America are asked who the best poker players are, the names that will be mentioned are Phil Hellmuth, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, Mike Matusow and Annie Duke. These people are brands unto themselves. Annie made full use of her brand name by reaching the final of Celebrity Apprentice a few years back.
Negreanu had to disagree. He praised Jason Mercier to the limit. Negreanu said, “There is no one in poker today that reminds me more of myself when I was 25 than Jason. He is a winner at poker and life. His consistent success has motivated me to get back on top of the game I love.” The “getting back on top” has motivated Negreanu to make two New Year Resolutions. He wants to regain the top spot on the four major all time money lists. In the Hendon Mob list Negreanu is second to Erik Seidel by almost $2 million. In the WPT list he is second to Carlos Mortensen by almost a million dollars. These goals are unlikely to be met. His second resolution is equally not maintainable. Negreanu has promised not to drink, socialize or engage in sexual activities prior to a major poker tournament.
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