This is a bit of an odd thread. In some ways you could say classic Daniel Negreanu.
To be clear, Negreanu has earned a level of respect due to making it as one of the best known poker players in the world. But, at some point years ago I figured you either succumbed to his perceived charms or not. The majority obviously did, I am in the minority and didn't.
So, anyone watching Negreanu's vlogs (two main spells in 2023) already knew he had taken a pasting. Not actually anything new as his play became erratic years ago and yearly income has often been bailed out by one or a few big scores as he can afford to enter everything he wants (and to repeat he leveraged his celebrity to get the sponsorship that allows him to do so).
So he now 'scores' mostly come from entering high rollers with small fields. There is an argument that these are The Best Players In The World, and some undoubtedly are. But many are simply the best bankrolled by backers so my admiration for the high roller scene is also healthily sceptical. I find it entertaining like everyone else. I love the Triton series but no one knows who is staking who and for how much.
But as with many 'takes' Negreanu has, I find the declaration of loss, no matter the earnest explantation, at core a humble (but transparent) brag. What Negreanu is doing, as much as anything is saying, I can afford to lose this god awful amount of money. And of course, it keeps him in the public eye, the main goal, as he always strives to somehow remain relevant...even after a losing year which most were already completely aware of.
But overall it's simply the relentless 'attention whoring' which rubs me the wrong way. And to be frank that has led to a lack of focus and decline regarding his game at the expense of raising his profile and sponsorship. His prerogative. The shouty and sweary entrances to every room he is playing, the 'what's bothering you today, Alan' at volume eleven so half the room swivels to pay homage to Negreanu...it a grind watching him for some such as myself these days.
That said, it remains an enjoyable watch (bordering hate watch?) when for most of the time over the last several years he crashes and burns at the majority of events at the
wsop.
