In a recent post on his blog, Team PokerStars Pro member Daniel Negreanu outlined eight goals he is aiming to accomplish before the year draws to a close. These range from collecting $1 million in tournament earnings to making big strides in his self-imposed bankroll challenge. While lofty, several of the goals seem manageable considering Negreanu’s impeccable career track and even he admits that if he has completed five of his goals by this time next year, he will be more than satisfied with his efforts.
Negreanu’s first goal, to win $1 million in 2010, seems more than feasible considering his track record. He’s racked up seven-figures in tournament winnings four of the past six years, falling short in only 2005 and 2007. Last year, he won just over $1.2 million, most of which came from his runner-up showing at this year’s World Series of Poker Europe (WSOP) Europe Main Event, worth $807,148.
Money plays a role in Negreanu’s second goal as well: to retain his spot atop the all-time money leader list. He came close to losing the title back in November when his friend and fellow pro Phil Ivey made it to the final table of the WSOP Main Event, but his seventh place showing was not enough to surpass Negreanu, who has $12.4 in poker tournament winnings to his credit. Similarly, Negreanu also hopes to retain his spot as the biggest winner in World Poker Tour (WPT) history, with $5.5 million in career winnings.
Negreanu had several impressive showings in 2009, including a quarterfinal appearance at the National Heads-Up Poker Championship, his WSOP Europe Main Event runner-up finish, and two WSOP final tables, but was lacking any outright wins. Negreanu hopes to change that this year and has his sights set on one major tour win as well as two WSOP bracelets.
In addition to the bracelets, Negreanu also plans to rack up several cashes at this year’s WSOP in order to make it to #12 on the all-time cash list for the series. He is currently sitting at 16th, but according to his estimations, seven cashes would propel him past some of the players ahead of him like Thor Hansen and Poker Hall of Fame member Mike Sexton.
Negreanu also wants to move up on the all-time WSOP money earners list, where he currently sits in 28th place. With such big paydays for Main Event winners, final table members, and those who take down the high buy-in events, there is not a lot of room to maneuver. Negreanu is setting his sights small and hopes to move up to 25th.
Finally, the affable poker pro laid out his plans for his ongoing bankroll challenge. Akin to Chris “Jesus” Ferguson’s quest to go from nothing to $50,000, Negreanu is in the process of turning $10 into $100,000 playing No Limit Hold’em cash games on PokerStars. To date, Negreanu has around $175 to his credit and is playing at the $0.10/$0.25 level, but he is hoping to work his way up to $3/$6 before the year is over.
Negreanu is currently playing the Main Event of the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in the Bahamas, where he stands a chance of improving upon or completing at least a couple goals on his list.
Lol, as if he needs poker goals. He’s already one of the best players there is. How much better can you get?