Poker champions Negreanu and Baker are instructing individuals on how to triumph in imaginary poker games and assess other players' abilities.
Ready to Dive into the 2024 Poker Fantasy Draft?
Let's spill the tea on this year's exciting $3,000 freeroll in a brand new format! Drawing inspiration from Poker legends Daniel Negreanu and David "ODB" Baker, we're hosting our very own ODB-style draft on our website. Submissions are open until 00:01 on May 30, so don't be a slack-ass and wait until the last minute!
GT+ WSOP 2024 Fantasy Draft: Poker Action Galore!
We're here to chat about poker fantasy and all the insider scoop. Daniel hosts a jaw-dropping $25k buy-in draft every year, while David organizes a $500 buy-in tournament. The fun kicks off in just a few days!
Chad Holloway: Hey there, poker fans! We're diving deep into the world of drafting today. So, Dan, tell us about this year's draft.
Daniel Negreanu: I'm hyped for it! I've been fielding questions about the draft left and right. Usually, I'd be knee-deep in researching players' plans, but this year, I'm distracted by my folks-in-law visiting. I just hope my team rocks as hard as last year's!
David Baker: My drafts are breaking records for attendance every year, and I don't see this year being any different. Fantasy drafts have played a significant role in the surge of the WSOP and poker in general. Players are fiercely competitive, closely tracking each other's results, stoking interest in both tournaments and fantasy!
Chad Holloway: I heard the first $25k buy-in draft was in 2011. You didn't come up with the idea, Dan?
Daniel Negreanu: Correct! That year, a cat named Howard Lederer was planning to host it at his casa. It was initially an invitational for mixed game regulars. Hold'em tourneys had humongous fields, making it tricky to predict the winner. That's why early point systems skewed heavily toward pricey mixed game competitions. Now, they throw in ridiculous bonuses for colossal fields, so strategy's up for grabs!
Daniel Negreanu: You bet, poker fantasy's always been my thang. I missed out on those earlier competitions, but now I've been running this baby for 13 years. Last year we smashed the record with 20 teams. I reckon this year we'll have about 17. (ed. note - fun fact: in reality, we ended up with 19 teams)
Chad Holloway: Hey Dan, lotta players holler at you asking to be drafted, even though it ain't in their best interest.
Daniel Negreanu: Yup, and I still can't wrap my head around it. Poker's an individual gig, no team interests involved. But many feel a sense of pride when they get drafted, and it gives 'em extra fuel to play. David's pointed out that drafts have given a major boost to the World Series. The moolah that's rolled in from players fancyatin' a spot on a team is off the charts!
David Baker: Allow me to express this from the point of view of a regular player. Back in 2011, I was a precocious n00b like your boyfriend, Dan. My BFF Ray Hansen and I drove from Houston to Vegas in our hooptie, jonesin' for a draft spot. We were thrilled as punch when Daniel drafted me early on, 'cause we played poker together all the time...
Daniel Negreanu: Of course, my team didn't nab no prizes...
David Baker: Well, let's not blame it all on me, okay? This here draft has fostered professional respect and camaraderie in the poker world. I wouldn't have guessed back then that players would be desperate to join the damn thing. My drafts are open to everyone, so grab a spot while you can!
To catch all the drafted players' chip counts and hands, PokerNews has added a new live report filter this year. No more fretting about online tourney results taking forever! Low-down results will be out in a flash, just like the draft players themselves!
For those missing out on the WSOP, online satellite events could be your ticket to the live series. If you're gearing up for that, remember - this year, online tourneys ain't part of the count. Huzzah!
For those who fancy themselves aspiring poker pros, this draft keeps it real with equal chances for all. Some criticize the point system, lamenting the inclusion or exclusion of certain events they believe is unfair. Nevertheless, everyone starts with clean slates, so it's all fair and square.
Have fun, poker fans! The draft awaits you at our website!
- Daniel Negreanu mentions that this year, his research for the draft has been limited due to visits from his in-laws, but he hopes his team will perform as well as last year.
- David Baker expresses his anticipation for the year's draft, stating that his events have seen increased attendance every year and have contributed significantly to the growth of poker and the WSOP.
- Daniel Negreanu discusses the evolution of the draft's point system over the years, noting how early systems favored pricey mixed game competitions, but now include bonuses for large fields, making strategies more diverse.
- Both Daniel Negreanu and David Baker emphasize the importance of the draft in fostering camaraderie and professional respect among poker players, with David inviting all interested to sign up for a spot in the draft at our website.
