Negreanu loses his first CHALLENGE match

[Fishhead]

Barry Greenstein has been making a living at the poker table for many years, but he is just now getting the recognition he deserves. After winning the World Poker Tour at the World Poker Open, some people still ask who this guy is. For tournament pros and the players in the biggest side games in the world, he is a man who's game is widely respected. He has won two tournaments in less than a year with a first prize of more than $1 million dollars. To many others, he is the most generous man in the poker industry. He has donated every bit of his tournament winnings to charity, most of which goes to Children, Inc which works to help children in twenty-one countries including the United States. Children, Inc is affiliated with schools, orphanages and welfare centers providing food, clothing and educational needs.

Barry grew up in Chicago in the Scottsdale neighborhood where he excelled in math and computers in high school. He got his B.S. in computer science and attended the University of Illinois, where he worked on his Ph.D. in mathematics. He worked at Symantec (now known for its Norton anti-virus and security products) from 1984 until 1991 when he retired at the age of 36. Since then he has pursued his passion for playing cards full-time. He has made a living playing high stakes ring games in northern California and now in Larry Flynt's game at the Hustler Casino.

Barry is also very well known for teaching Mimi Tran, one of the most respected female poker players around, how to improve her game. She in turn taught him how to speak Vietnamese. They have an ongoing debate about who is the better teacher. He insists he is the better teacher and she argues that it is only because she is a better student.

In 2003, Barry won Larry Flynt's $1 million one-table stud event at Hustler Casino. His World Poker Tour appearances include a first place finish at the 2004 Jack Binion's World Poker Open and a fifth place finish in the 2004 Party Poker Million 3. In 2004, he won a World Series bracelet in No- Limit Deuce to Seven Draw. He was one of the elite players invited to play in the Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament and he also contributed to Doyle Brunson's new book "Super System 2"

 

[max1234]

Daniel is now 1-1 in his challenge matches. From what I read this morning he beat Mimi Tran out of a half million last nite.

As far as some of you that think all of these guys are 'backed', why would someone like Chip Reese give up a % of his action when he's favored? Just because you can't fathom playing for those huge amounts doesn't mean others aren't comfortable playing for them. The game's the same whether it's 3-6 or 2000-4000 it just that the chips are prettier colors.

 

[lakerfan]

As far as some of you that think all of these guys are 'backed', why would someone like Chip Reese give up a % of his action when he's favored? Just because you can't fathom playing for those huge amounts doesn't mean others aren't comfortable playing for them. The game's the same whether it's 3-6 or 2000-4000 it just that the chips are prettier colors.

Well put Max.

 

[royalfan]

The Legendary Brunson Strikes Gold Again
By Wendeen Eolis

Editor's Note: This feature is an adaptation of material that is part of Ms. Eolis' book in progress, Power Poker Dame.

Strolling into the Embassy Suites Hotel, just a mile from the combat zone of the Bicycle Club's Legends of Poker Tournament, Doyle "Texas Dolly" Brunson takes command of the lobby; he is the King of the road. Just arrived from his Montana ranch, he gives me a bear hug and says, "I'm hoping for a little luck here at the Bike and a little more luck over the weekend in the ESPN $2,000,000 free roll." He has been making his own luck, for years-with handsome pay offs.

Doyle walks across the room assuredly with a crutch that aids his gait and bursts into a gentle smile as well wishers greet him-- reverently. A procession of eager poker business entrepreneurs led by Roger Ledford and his Atlanta-based buddies seek out the king. During casual conversations with a slew of poker players (including me), the Atlanta boys point with pride to their corporate logo on a nearby monitor. They are attempting to interest us in "investing" in their concept of a tournament, saying that everyone must invest to one degree or another. They have the "boxing template," perhaps thanks to Mark, who is identified as Bob Arum's nephew. There is also an amiable general counsel in residence when he is not hunting heads as a legal recruiter.


Roger positively hops to attention when T. J. Cloutier introduces him to the Great Doyle. The MLP boys refrain from uttering a word about putting up any money during their pitch to Texas Dolly Brunson. Doyle listens and asks questions (and later comes back for a further chat) -mildly intrigued by Roger and his pals. Thereafter, Roger refers to his "meeting" with Doyle, explaining that his tournament plans will topple the World Poker Tour from its lofty perch, and that he has the likes of Doyle grooving to his music.

Doyle leaves the Embassy Suites Hotel, slides into a limo with T.J for the two mile ride to the Bike where he will roast Lyle Berman, the WPT's CEO. They are longtime friends- and regularly battle against each other across the felt. Doyle doesn't need to prepare for a poker game, and he doesn't need to rehearse his lines to cook up a perfect stir fry of Lyle, either. Doyle has heart and talent in unmatched abundance, as well as a gift for poker gab.

With greetings, social graces and a roast out of the way, Doyle settles into his business with Mike Caro-completing the much awaited updated edition of Super System 2, the poker "Bible" that has schooled many of the self-proclaimed poker stars he will soon face at the tables in the Bike's Legends of Poker WPT event. He is here, resigned to the fact that the King must be seen and heard throughout his kingdom. He will take on all 666 comers, the largest field of entrants in the history of the World Poker Tour. He is set to dispose of his adversaries, one by one-if only as a reminder that he is still "The Man." In Doyle's world, actions speak louder than words!

With some fifty years on the road as a poker warrior, from back rooms to glitzy television stages, Dolly towers over the rest. At seventy-one he is undeniably the best poker player on the face of the earth. He still plays flawlessly at the highest stakes to be found-against millionaires and billionaires that thrill to the test and pros that fancy themselves as having a shot at a passing mantle. But no, Texas Dolly has no plans of stepping aside.

Not so many years ago, Dolly shunned the publicity he now accepts as part of the game, He used to be more content to just win his money and take it home-that is except when the occasional robber (with a revolver or a machine gun) intruded in his path. But since the advent of the World Poker Tour, and the resulting hot as a pistol poker scene, the Great Doyle Brunson had to make a decision about whether to slip into the sunset of a singularly acclaimed poker career or to wallop the wannabees and retain his crown.

Even before the television hype of the last two years, Dolly astutely positioned himself to keep his throne. Just as Phil Hellmuth and Johnny Chan had caught up to his eight WSOP bracelets, Dolly returned to the World Series of Poker that he had boycotted for three years prior, out of loyalty to his friend Jack Binion who was no longer at the helm. During the same WSOP in which Hellmuth and Chan hit their ninth WSOP bracelets, Dolly was back in the hunt to collect his ninth, too.

Then he showed up in Tunica Mississippi to support the Jack Binion World Poker Open. He continued to burnish his image, there, meeting with agents, movie producers, and reporters that salivated for a chance to hear the Great Doyle Brunson utter his words of wisdom -or any other words, for that matter.

On August 31, 2004, Dolly won the Legends Championship and pulled in another pot of gold, $1,198,290 +$25,000 Bellagio WPT World Championship seat to be more precise. He proved again to any doubting Thomases of the poker establishment and especially young Turk braggarts, that he alone is the King of the Poker World.

From the mammoth starting field, Texas Dolly progressed to the final table in second place chip position. When his chips dwindled during the final table battle, Dolly kept his cool. By the time that heads up play between him and Lee Watkinson commenced, Watkinson was in the catbird seat with a three to one chip lead and high hopes of bettering his brilliant second place finish at the last WPT event at the Mirage, just weeks ago. But Doyle Brunson put on his finest display of poker prowess, methodically draining Watkinson's stack, until he, the Texan road warrior and giant of the game, was the last man standing. The television cameras captured every minute of the compelling action that verifies Dolly's unchallenged position as the Almighty King.

Texas Dolly takes the attention that is poured on him in stride-graciously and knowingly. Dolly can have his pick among the emerging management companies, agents and publicists that plead for his bones, with promises to make him yet richer and more famous, but he can also afford to ignore them and still remain an icon, relying strictly on the mind-boggling skills he brings to the table.

Dolly has been a recognized star dating back to the late seventies with his back to back WSOP Final Championship titles. He followed up with the Super System "Poker Bible" which offered a translation of the most successful strategies at the table. So why did Texas Dolly play his heart out to become the last man standing at the WPT Legends of Poker event? He enjoys his status as the King, and apparently, he still takes great pleasure in answering the question, "What have you done for me lately," with one word-"Plenty!" Indeed he did plenty with his historical win in the Legends of Poker grand finale.

Just my opinion, but it seems there are tons and tons of players better than him. He is about the only legend that I would not be scared to play heads up against, well besides Moneymaker if he is considered to be a legend. Chip Reese, Negranea, Ivy, Phil, Chan, Helmutch, Greenstein, no thanks. This list could go much much deeper.

 

[SPunlimited]

i always wonder how much of their money these "pros" are playing with...my guess is 99% of the pros are playing with investors' money...otherwise, there's no way anyone can lose "200k" one night and have the mentality and desire to go at it again the next nite..

None of the pros got a problem losing 200,000 in one night I was watching Danial Negreanu on some show and he said he plays in a regular cash game with Brunson, Ivey and a few other top players I cant remember they're names and he said its not uncommon for someone to win or lose a million dollars.

 

[WharfRat+]

Last night, DN defeated Mimi Tran in a $500,000 Limit Holdem challenge. Rumor has it that Barry Greenstein staked Mimi for the challenge. Looks like BG is going to send in some soldiers to battle to try to weaken, tire or just get info on DN for their match that will eventually take place.

My question is, is Wynn staking DN to get the high stakes players into the new cardroom?

 

[dmmd98]

short answer is yes....good marketing idea on whoever came up with the idea but i'm sure DN is risking a good deal of his money too i just hope he takes out Barry G

 

[Fishhead]

EXACTLY!!

MARKETING YOUR GAME OUTSIDE THE WORLD OF POKER IS WHERE THE MONEY IS NOW IN POKER...........AND THE TOP PROS ARE GOING TO REEP THE BENEFITS!!

PHIL H. may realize this concept as well as anybody.

Like he has stated......"I live in Palo Alto and look around at all my neighbors and I know where they got their money.....business."

-F-

 

[totalsquare]

Daniel is now 1-1 in his challenge matches. From what I read this morning he beat Mimi Tran out of a half million last nite.

As far as some of you that think all of these guys are 'backed', why would someone like Chip Reese give up a % of his action when he's favored? Just because you can't fathom playing for those huge amounts doesn't mean others aren't comfortable playing for them. The game's the same whether it's 3-6 or 2000-4000 it just that the chips are prettier colors.

poker is alot like sports betting in terms of management..if negranu and any of the pros are willing to risk 200k of their own money, how big of a bankroll would they need to grind it out?..i'd say you need at least a 5million bankroll if losing 200k in one session is pocket change...how many of these pros have a 5mill bankroll?...i'm not talking about their networth either..just talking about their poker bankroll...

 

[max1234]

Poker is not like sports betting, even when it comes to money mgt.... a sports better is never a big favorite unless a line has been put up wrong. And rarely are the top players not big faves. Why? Game selection. They don't always beat up themselves but wait till some fish show up to play a 'world champ'. Also, I have no doubts that Brunson, Reese, Greenstein, Giang and some others have that type of 'poker bankroll'. I watched Doyle pay off over $100,000 in a golf match one day and it didn't phase him. He just wanted to know the tee time for the next day. From what I understand several of them keep large figures in their own private lock boxes at the Bellagio. These guys have been doing this for years, not for a couple of months. I don't put Negraneau in the elite class of high limit players. I wouldn't be surprised in his 'challenge' matches that Wynn has a portion of his action.... it's promoting the Wynn poker room and DN is an employee of Wynn.