Negreanu Tells WSOP Fantasy Drafters to Pick Him

Daniel Negreanu publicly endorsed drafting himself in the 2026 World Series of Poker Fantasy Draft, calling out competitors who overlooked him as "stupid" in commentary published this week by Poker.org.

Why It Matters

Fantasy sports formats layered onto live poker tournaments are a growing engagement tool for operators and fans alike, and Negreanu's outspoken self-promotion gives the WSOP Fantasy product measurable earned media. For recreational players building their draft rosters, his reasoning carries real strategic weight: a six-time WSOP bracelet winner with decades of deep runs offers consistent scoring upside that pure value-hunters may underestimate. The episode also highlights how player-influencer crossover — a veteran actively campaigning for his own draft stock — can drive participation in formats that might otherwise attract only hardcore poker railbirds. Gambling on fantasy outcomes carries real financial risk regardless of expert input.

Context

The WSOP Fantasy Draft lets participants select rosters of professional players and accumulate points based on tournament finishes in Las Vegas. Negreanu, one of poker's highest-profile ambassadors with more than $42 million in recorded live tournament earnings (per Poker.org), is a perennial fixture in these formats precisely because of his volume of WSOP entries each summer.

What's Next

The 2026 WSOP is underway as of May 2026, meaning fantasy scoring will evolve rapidly across dozens of bracelet events over the coming weeks — roster decisions made now carry immediate point consequences.

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Reminder: Fantasy poker contests involve financial risk. Past tournament performance does not guarantee future results.