Negreanu Splits Poker Community: “Other Venues Leech Off WSOP Popularity”
4 minutes
Last Updated: April 28, 2024
Daniel Negreanu has once again stirred up a discussion in the poker space, posting on his Twitter that “the summer is WSOP time” and “side events will never count; it’s all WSOP.”
The gist of Kid Poker’s message was that, for him, the World Series of Poker is the only game in town, and all events hosted by other casinos around the same time simply can’t compare.
Those who followed Negreanu’s career probably know that he’s always been a big WSOP fan, playing big schedules and often sharing his summer exploits with his fans via his YouTube vlog. So, the sentiment hardly comes as a surprise.
However, in replies that followed, the poker superstar took things a step further, saying that all other casinos are just leeching off the WSOP popularity, running their own series during summer, knowing that the WSOP will bring in thousands of poker players to town.
This led to a lively argument, with some accepting Negreanu’s point of view, and others, as is usually the case, accused him of shilling and being one-sided.
An Argument That Holds Water?
During this entire debated, Kid Poker made it very clear that he didn’t think that what other casinos did was in any way unfair or unethical. It is, after all, a free market, and people are free to tailor their business strategies in a way they believe will bring them the most money.
However, he was firm on this use of the term “leech,” indicating that these other venues were setting up their series at the same time as the WSOP, counting on the “juice” generated by the series to feed their events.
Negreanu is one of those players who like to create a discussion, and, like anyone, he may not be on the right side of the argument every time. However, in this particular instance, language preferences aside, it’s hard to say he’s not right.
The World Series of Poker is the biggest brand in all of poker, and people come to Las Vegas to win bracelets. They travel half across the world to try and become the “poker world champion” (i.e., play in the Main Event).
It’s a safe bet that Vegas would be buzzing with tourists during summer regardless, but without the WSOP, the number of people who love poker specifically and enjoy spending their time at the green felt over anything else would certainly be significantly smaller.
The term “leech” does have a bit of an unsavory connotation, but if you exchange it with another, less “sinister” term like “profit from” or “take advantage of,” the argument still stands.
On the other hand, it would be strange for a casino with a large poker room not to boost its poker offering during this period. This would be the very definition of “missing a trick.”
Is It Good or Bad for Poker?
Another argument that hasn’t really been covered that much in this discussion is if having these other series during the WSOP is good for poker, and if it really hurts the World Series.
Looking at the numbers, the WSOP is doing just fine, having just broken its Main Event attendance record last year. Players who are in town to play the Series and have the budget for it will not go elsewhere.
At the same time, summer in Las Vegas brings out all sorts of poker fans. Some may be there because they have qualified for a WSOP event but don’t really have the role to play in other bracelet tournaments.
Some, such as your truly, may be there in some official capacity, and not rolled for big tournaments, but still wanting to get in on the action while there.
I think this is where these side series and daily events at other venues really come through. With a poker budget of $1,000 or so, you can play in a few tournaments, experience the buzz, and potentially win a nice chunk of cash.
And some of those who do win will likely head over to Horseshoe to put those winnings to good use and try to go back home with a bracelet on their wrist.
Plenty of Action to Go Around
Daniel Negreanu isn’t wrong when he says that other venues get to benefit from the appeal created by the World Series of Poker. However, I’d say that the poker world needs these side series happening around the main stage.
After all, it is in everyone’s best interest that all those who visit Vegas during the summer have the best experience possible. Without these cheaper, more affordable tournaments, this simply wouldn’t be possible.
So, while the other venues may be targeting the same player pool, and they may be taking some action away from the WSOP, I think they also help create generate some action. In the end, it might be the zero sum game where poker fans and players are the ultimate winners.
