Tutors Negreanu and Baker instruct students on strategies to triumph in poker tournaments and assess opponents.
Let's Talk Poker Fantasy Leagues: Redefining Poker Staking with Daniel Negreanu and David "ODB" Baker
Every year, poker enthusiasts eagerly await the annual poker fantasy drafts hosted by Daniel Negreanu and David "ODB" Baker. This year, we're taking it up a notch by introducing our very own ODB-style draft right here on our site!
GT+ WSOP Fantasy Draft 2024: A $3,000 Freeroll in a New Format 🏆
We're turning up the heat in the poker world by introducing a fresh take on poker fantasy leagues. Submit your teams by 00:01 on May 30 - don't miss out! 📝 *(Reminder: Time's ticking, folks, with only a few hours left!)
Chad Holloway: Welcome to the Fantasy League Roundup! Daniel and David are here to share their insights on this growing trend in the poker world.
Daniel Negreanu: We're stepping into some iconic territory with this one. Every year, we see Daniel holding his big-budget $25k buy-in draft, and David breaking participation records with his own $500 draft. This year, we're ushering in a whole new era of poker fantasy fun!
David Baker: Buckle up, people! We're gonna see some record-breaking action in this year's drafts. Fantasy has been a driving force behind the WSOP's growth and popularity in the poker community. The excitement surrounding these drafts is palpable, with players constantly monitoring each other's results.
Chad Holloway: It all started back in 2011, right Daniel?
Daniel Negreanu: That's right. But here's a fun fact - it wasn't actually my idea! A gentleman named Howard Lederer was planning to host it at his house, intending an invitational among mixed-game regulars. Hold'em tournaments had monster fields, making it impossible to estimate winners, while limit game players knew each other well. That's why the scoring system was heavily skewed towards expensive mixed-game tournaments in the early years. Taking hold'em specialists was considered a bold move. But over time, massive bonuses were added for big fields, diversifying the strategy.
Daniel Negreanu: As a lifelong fan of fantasy sports, I felt like missing out on such an amazing competition. I've been hosting these drafts ever since, but I have to be honest - I'm still a bit late to the party! Last year, we had a whopping 19 teams, and I probably won't beat that number this year - I'm estimating around 17. (Editor's note - once again, facts are subjective and the truth lies somewhere in the middle - this year, we ended up with 18 teams)
Chad Holloway: Some well-known players reach out to you persistently to be drafted, despite knowing it won't benefit them.
Daniel Negreanu: I've found it fascinating that some players go out of their way to join a team, even though there's no team advantage in poker. They take pride in being drafted and it gives them an extra dose of motivation. David has pointed out that these drafts have significantly boosted the hype around the WSOP. I wouldn't dare make a wild guess at how much money organizers have made from players who decided to play more tournaments solely because they were drafted.
David Baker: I wouldn't be where I am today without these drafts. Back in 2011, I was a relatively unknown limit game regular, driving from Houston with a close friend, Ray Hansen, listening to the recorded draft. When Daniel picked me, it was a massive motivation for me; we often squared off in limits. I never imagined that one day I'd be hosting my own drafts!
Daniel Negreanu: Well, my team didn't exactly perform spectacularly in the tournaments...
David Baker: Haha, that's no surprise - I'm the reason your team underperformed! But I wanted to share that tale to demonstrate the camaraderie this event fosters among players.
Chad Holloway: David's drafts have been breaking records each year, and this trend doesn't look like it'll stop anytime soon!
David Baker: Our goal has always been to make everyone feel involved. With 600 teams participating last year, there's just no way to deny the appeal of these drafts! Here's an interesting tidbit - we used to have bonus players for the draft's "kill zone," but we're simplifying the rules this year to make it more accessible for newcomers.
Chad Holloway: PokerNews has even added a new filter to their live reports this year. You can now choose to only see chip counts and hand updates for drafted players.
David Baker: We're also switching things up this year by leaving out online tournaments from the scoring. That should make the updates even more exciting and current!
Daniel Negreanu: I've always believed in giving every participant an equal opportunity to perform. So I don't have an issue with a random element in the game. Many find it absurd that 72nd place in Colossus and 1st in a $10k event can earn the same points. But I believe this adds complexity to the team strategy. Some focus on limit game regulars, others on grinders, but everyone has a shot at winning.
Chad Holloway: In the first year, Jason Mercier and Jason Somerville's team claimed victory, with Mercier taking it again the following year.
Daniel Negreanu: We've had plenty of surprises throughout the years, but I remember Mercier's bolder than brave hit-and-run tactic, leaving the draft scene shortly after winning!
Chad Holloway: Speaking of winners, let's talk about the reigning champions. Last year, Maria Ho took the trophy.
Daniel Negreanu: Yes, and I came in second - which wasn't exactly what I was aiming for, considering I led the series until Maria's team member took first in the main tournament! The only downside to drafting a player who isn't cleared to participate is that it leaves a gaping hole in your team's chances. In fact, we've compiled a list of forbidden players who either don't intend to participate or have questionable moral grounds for not joining the draft.
David Baker: Selling shares in poker is an increasingly popular practice, and we've seen more and more teams offer their drafted players shares in the action.
Daniel Negreanu: I've got a funny story from one of the drafts. I called Steve Billirakis for $1, and no one bid him up - even though he's a top-notch player. When I asked why, I was told he didn't have the funds to play. So I said, "Well, now he does!" And Todd Brunson once took himself for $1, warning, "If anyone starts a bidding war, I'm out."
Chad Holloway: Daniel, in terms of total points in draft history, Phil Hellmuth leads the pack.
Daniel Negreanu: It's actually a point of pride for Phil, who isn't shy about showing off his achievements. They usually give around 100 points for me and Daniel combined, with less for Phil, which doesn't sit well with him. So it's quite important to him to prove he's been underestimated once again. I'll admit - he always puts on a fierce performance at the drafts.
Chad Holloway: Daniel, can you give us a few names, and I'll let you know if they're worth drafting or not? I have no clue about their game plans.
Daniel Negreanu: Daniel Weinman, reigning WSOP champion, might be a viable pick, but considering his newfound wealth, he may not have much of a motivation to participate.
David Baker: I don't think he'll play much if Sean takes him on his team. But the upside? Dan is a versatile player, excelling in all games. But I prefer to have solid information on the players' plans before making any decisions. (Editor's note - Weinman was picked for 31 points)
Chad Holloway: How about Josh Arie?
David Baker: Josh is a standout player who genuinely loves poker - and he's either incredibly lucky or a master of all games. He'd bring plenty of value to any team.
Daniel Negreanu: The only drawback to Josh is his tendency to quit tournaments during bad streaks. But his potential benefits easily outweigh the cons. (Editor's note - The seasoned player's predictable motivation was trusted, and he was drafted for 73 points, more than 90% of the field)
Chad Holloway: Bin Wang, the player who's never had a losing streak - ever!
Daniel Negreanu: He's a rising star in both low and high-stakes Hold'em tournaments, but he tends to play in other casinos, making it difficult for him to participate in the draft. I wouldn't offer more than $15 for him.
David Baker: I wouldn't go higher than $10 (Editor's note - no one bid more than 4 for Binh Wynn). He's a solid pick for additional points in the kill zone, but it wouldn't be unexpected if he doesn't score any points at all.
Chad Holloway: How about Kristin Foxen, the top female poker player in the world?
Daniel Negreanu: A crucial factor in Kristen's game used to be her avoidance of high roller tournaments due to tax issues. Now that she's married, those problems should be resolved. I can't say for certain what her plans are, but Kristen is always a force to be reckoned with in no-limit hold'em. (Editor's note - she was selected for 11 points)
David Baker: I wholeheartedly agree. Kristen is an incredible grinder, but high-stakes hold'em can be unpredictable, causing even talented players to hit a rough patch and fail to score any points. (Editor's note - last year, Daniel had Brian Kim, an outstanding player who contributed a mere 10 points)
Daniel Negreanu: I'll definitely snatch up Adrian if I have the chance. He's one of the rare high rollers who takes low-buy-in tournaments seriously.
David Baker: The tricky part? This could leave him stretched thin, diluting his focus on the draft. (Editor's note - unfortunately, Daniel didn't manage to secure Adrian; he went to Team Lucky for a massive 45 points in the hold'em specialist department; they also selected WSOP champion, Vinny)
Chad Holloway: Jeremy Becker, according to himself, is the "best player in the world under $1,600."
Daniel Negreanu: I've got a share of his deal with Landon Tysac. I could draft him for around $1-2. But the catch? The deal includes any summer tournaments under $10k, so WSOP won't be his main focus. (Editor's note - Becker was indeed drafted for 3, but not by Negreanu)
David Baker: I'm confident that both he and Landon will be drafted. If you manage to snap him up for $1, you're barely taking a risk, with the potential benefits from bonuses being huge. As the drafts have shown, you can't win by relying only on tournament regulars. But no-limit hold'em grinders can take your team to the next level!
Chad Holloway: Lastly, a wild card - Phil Ivey.
Daniel Negreanu: We've been friends for years, but I never know what his plans are. He might play cash games for the entire series, although he's been grinding high-stakes mixed tournaments lately. He has a deep passion for poker, but it's often overlooked. Dating Phil Ivey is a gamble, so to speak - he could rack up points, or leave your team empty-handed. Exciting value at $5, but everyone will be eying him, driving the price up to $30-40. (Editor's note - Ivey was taken for 16 points into a strong and balanced team, one of the dark horse favorites of the draft, Negreanu)
- I'm not sure if the ODB-style draft on our site will have the same social media hype as the ones hosted by Daniel Negreanu and David "ODB" Baker, given their longstanding reputation in the poker fantasy scene.
- Poker fans might be more interested in following pokernews for live updates on the $3,000 freeroll GT+ WSOP Fantasy Draft 2024, rather than keeping track of the casino-and-gambling expenditures or casino-games scores.
- Daniel Negreanu might probably be less aware of the strategies being used by other players in this year's poker and sports fantasy leagues due to his delayed participation in these events.
- optimal drafting decisions could be significantly influenced by calculations that take into account the varying values of players like Daniel Weinman, Kristin Foxen, or Jeremy Becker, but their participation in the drafts remains uncertain.
- the hypothetical draft of players like Phil Ivey, a well-known poker enthusiast, could end up being a gamble, with potential high rewards or no points at all, due to his unpredictable game strategy.
- Even though drafting a player like Josh Arie, a master of all games or Bin Wang, who's never had a losing streak, could bring significant value, they might perform poorly if they falter during bad streaks or prefer to play in other casinos, respectively.
