A few episodes of Gogglebox ago, Daniel Negreanu, the most famous poker player on the planet, posted on Twitter an account from a friend, abducted by aliens.
It kicked up a raging storm.
The rational and logical home of poker is not a place for a serious discussion on the existence of extra-terrestrials with all and sundry asking the fundamental question – where are they?
We now have the answer.
They’re hiding underneath Negreanu’s beard.
A few days ago, Negreanu marched down the Las Vegas Strip, kicking his selfie-stick with his spurs, as he explained his decision to become GGPoker’s brand ambassador. The signing is a big deal. Negreanu is the man, and with 476,000 Twitter followers, has incredible pull, but he doesn’t need the money, so why sign?
As you would expect, Negreanu referred to GGPoker in glowing terms, calling their mobile platform ‘cutting edge’, and pinpointing their software, and staking platform as two incredible assets.
But that’s not why Negreanu has signed.
The Canadian left PokerStars in May after 12-years at the helm of the grandest online poker stage in the business. He was never going to become a corpse, as the intensity of his 2019 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Player of the Year (POY) run showed, but it seems Negreanu wanted more because Negreanu loves being in the thick of the very thing he loves.
Poker.
The Lone Wolf Becomes a Pack Animal
Negreanu’s presence at GGPoker means Bryn Kenney will have to hand over one of his reins. The self proclaimed ‘lone wolf of poker’ has to learn to be a pack animal.
In an interesting twist, Kenney is currently the All-Time Money Leader on Hendon Mob with $55,505,634, after finishing second at the Triton Million London – an event that Negreanu regretted missing. Negreanu held onto the All-Time Money lead for four-years before Justin Bonomo deposed him during his incredible 2018 run.
It’s an incredible achievement for GGPoker to have both Kenney and Negreanu, placing a gloved hand on the marketing wheel. They are two of the best in the business with a raft of experience. Kitty Kuo, Danny Tang and Michael Soyza all represent GGPoker skin, Natural8, but only Negreanu and Kenney speak for those sitting on the throne.
GGPoker calls themselves “The World’s Biggest Poker Network,” and in the past 12-months, has become the home of high stakes action, online, hosting $25,000 events with abandon. Earlier this year, they promised $50m in guarantees for their flagship online series, a year after $3m seemed like a reach.
To celebrate Negreanu’s arrival, GGPoker is hosting the $100,000 Daniel Negreanu Challenge promotional event, giving players a 200% deposit bonus, up to a $1,000 ceiling, by using the promo code ‘Daniel.’
GGPoker doesn’t serve U.S. Based players; ironic given that Kenney is from New York, and Negreanu lives in Las Vegas.
Negreanu is a six-time WSOP bracelet winner who has earned $42,024,087 in live tournament earnings. His peers elected him to the Poker Hall of Fame as soon as he turned 40, and is the only player to win the WSOP POY twice (he became the first person to win it thrice until an administration error saw the honours go to Robert Campbell).
He also has aliens hiding in his beard.
During his GGPoker Twitter announcement, one of his fans became so enamoured about Negreanu’s sleek and shiny beard; he asked him if Kid Poker dyed it?
“No. I use beard oil,” said Negreanu before continuing, “I have some grays underneath, but nothing too drastic.” Cue the X-Files theme tune.