Daniel Negreanu, WSOP Poker Star, Surprises High School Poker Game

Article ByDavid Weir

August 8, 2023

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Posted in: US Poker News, Nevada Gambling News, US Gambling News

Celebrated poker player Daniel Negreanu (pictured) made an unexpected appearance on Sunday night at a high school poker game in Las Vegas.

The six-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner was out walking his dogs near his suburban Las Vegas home when a young high school graduate recognized and approached him. He then asked if Negreanu would join a poker game with him and his friends.

The game was the last gathering for the group before they headed off to college. Negreanu accepted and the $60 million career winnings pro settled down for a night of low stakes action in a suburban kitchen.

It marks a wholesome good news story over the weekend in Las Vegas, in comparison to the abusive message posted by a Las Vegas high roller on the giant video screen on the side of the Strip’s Resorts World hotel and casino.

Social Media Says “Yes“

Negreanu’s surprise visit was initiated when one of the students, dressed in a suit, approached him while he was out walking his dogs. The student informed Negreanu about their upcoming poker game and invited him to stop by.

Negreanu, intrigued by the invitation, turned to his 546,000 followers on social media platform X for advice on whether to accept the invitation.

The response was overwhelmingly in favor of his participation. True to his word, Negreanu showed up at the gathering, bringing along gifts from his sponsor, GG Poker.

The stakes for the game were set at $0.25/$0.50 with a $50 buy-in, which is laughably low for a high stakes poker pro. Negreanu’s career earnings sit at about $60 million, and he regularly plays in $10,000 buy in tournaments.

However, the poker star seemed to thoroughly enjoy the experience.

The high school students, all dressed in suits and exuding an air of sophistication, left a lasting impression on Negreanu. He humorously noted that some of them would be studying subjects that he, a high school dropout turned card shark, was unfamiliar with.

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“The Best Night Ever”

Throughout the evening, the game unfolded with friendly competition and camaraderie.

Negreanu even took the time to break down a particularly noteworthy hand, sharing his insights and providing the students with a unique learning experience.

Despite emerging as the big winner of the evening, encouraging the final student to go all-in against his suited royals, Negreanu decided to leave his winnings on the table as a generous gesture.

Negreanu may not be at the current WSOP event in London, England, after a tough year at poker events. But his social media posts certainly seemed to show him having a good time.

He later reflected on the night on social media, calling it, “The best night ever”.

It is interesting that Negreanu keeps up such a positive attitude after receiving a series of extortion and blackmail threats earlier this year. The poker pro documented the situation on his YouTube video blog, and eventually reported the matter to the police.

These four local Las Vegas students will forever be thankful that Negreanu has remained so down-to-earth, despite adversity.

As the group embarks on their respective college journeys, they will always be able to talk about the night when they shared a poker table with a world poker legend.