Daniel Negreanu: The Poker Kid - World Series of Poker Player Bio

As one of the most recognizable players in professional poker, Daniel Negreanu started his career in underground games and charity casinos.

Born to Romanian immigrants on July 26, 1974 in Toronto, Daniel Negreanu started playing poker at the age of 15. The young Negreanu found so much promise in the game that at 18 he dropped out of high school with only one credit to go. By 21, Negreanu had built a bankroll large enough to take on Las Vegas.

In 1997, Daniel Negreanu won two events at the World Poker Finals at Foxwoods and was named the tournaments best all-around player. In 1998, Daniel Negreanu won the World Series of Poker and took home $169,460. He also became the youngest bracelet winner in history, a record he held until 2004, and earned the nickname “Poker Kid.”

Since his initial notable wins, Daniel Negreanu has gone on to win two World Poker Tour events and two more bracelets. In 2004, Negreanu was named World Poker of Player on the Year.

In 2005, Negreanu acted as the Poker Ambassador of the Wynn Las Vegas, where he said, “I’ll play anybody, virtually any poker game for any amount from $100,000 to $500,000.” By the end of 2005, the Poker Kid launched Full Contact Poker, an online poker site that also hosts his blog and several poker forums.

In 2006, Negreanu was named “Favorite Poker Player” at the Player of the Year Awards Gala.

Daniel Negreanu writing credits include more than 100 articles for CardPlayer Magazine and parts of Super System II by Doyle Brunson. Currently, the Poker Kid is working with other poker professionals to compile Daniel Negreanu’s Power Hold’em Strategy.

Negreanu also gives lessons through Poker School Online. His most notable protégé is Brain Fidler, who placed second at the 2006 World Series of Poker Circuit Event. Another recognizable student is Spiderman star Tobey Maguire.

In his personal life, Negreanu married Lori Lin Weber in 2005. He is also a vegetarian and is known for eating his mother’s home cooking at poker tournaments