Professional poker player Daniel Negreanu attends the “Unmasking” grand opening of Mizumi Restaurant at Wynn Las Vegas on June 7, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for Mizumi) If you are a fan of poker, and boy have I been for decades, you certainly know Daniel Negreanu. He has won 6 WSOP bracelets, amassed over $50 million in live tournaments, and was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2014. Also known as “Kid Poker”, Negreanu is one of the most respected and well-liked people in the gaming community.
Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Daniel was born to Romanian parents, speaking English and Romanian fluently as a result. Although he’s not Jewish, Daniel proudly says that he studied the complex Middle East geopolitics well before the events of October 7. He has made impressive statements and posts explaining his staunch support of Israel, and warns of the dangers of rampant antisemitism — all in the face of the usual swaths of online hatred.
Here’s an example of a recent thread, where he’s reacting to some anti-Israel messages in the poker community: I agree that antisemitism is on the rise due to recent and reckless rhetoric which is why I choose to speak out on behalf of Israeli and Jewish people across the world who are experiencing the worst antisemitism they have since the Holocaust I stand with — Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) January 10, 2024 Robbie Strazynski, founder and writer for CardPlayer Lifestyle, told me, “Daniel is an angel. And the Jewish people are extremely lucky to have his support. He has always, since day one, been super generous with his time, and incredibly kind to me, an observant Jew living in Israel.” (Full disclosure, Robbie is an old friend of mine).
Honestly, I’m a huge fan, and it thrills me to not only call him an ally, but be able to talk to him on the phone for this interview, thanks to mutual friend and poker pro Ronnie Bardah:
Why were you interested in this topic, knowing that most people are advised to avoid it by their agents […]
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