Daniel Negreanu in Pole Position at $50k Poker Players Championship

The WSOP $50,000 Poker Players Championship event has reached its final table of six, and headlining the list of formidable pros still in contention for a bracelet, as well as a first place prize of $1,395,767, is PokerStars ambassador Daniel Negreanu. While he already has 6 gold bracelets to his credit, winning this one would have extra meaning for the 42 year-old pro, and as he explains:
“I helped create this event when it was originally created years ago. I always was so disappointed I hadn’t done better. I had a couple of cashes and last year came in 12th. I always felt, especially this year more than ever, that it’s something I wanted to win. I’ve won Player of the Year twice, but this is the best year I’ve ever had, especially if I can top it off with a bracelet. I’d have six top 20 finishes.”
A total of 100 players entered the $50,000 buy-in event, with Mike Mizrachi ending up the unfortunate bubble-boy who was eliminated in 16th place. The flurry of top pros to subsequently exit having earned a return on their money was James Obst in 15th ($77,320), Mike Matusow in 12th ($97,328), Scott Seiver in 9th ($125,142), Matthew Ashton in 8th ($164,286), and Shaun Deeb in 7th ($164,286).
Talking about his remaining opponents at the final table, Negreanu described Isaac Haxton, Paul Volpe and Johannes Becker as being slightly uneven in terms of their all round abilities at the mix of games being played, whereas Elior Sion, on the other hand, Negreanu said was “good at everything”, and the most well-rounded player apart from himself.
The action is now scheduled to resume at 2 p.m. later today for its fourth and final day, and commenting upon his approach at the final table, Negreanu explained:
“There’s a few players, of course, who play all of the games well and they’re doing the same thing. You can’t just be a wimp, and just be a pushover when you’re playing games they’re being aggressive on. But at the same time, you don’t want to play their games. So, it’s a nice little dance. That’s why I love the eight-game mix, because you’re doing a little bit of both.”
Chip Counts
1: Daniel Negreanu 5,930,000
2: Isaac Haxton 5,205,000
3: Elior Sion 4,750,000
4: Johannes Becker 4,560,000
5: Ivo Donev 2,990,000
6: Paul Volpe 1,570,000