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Do we sense a feud between two of the biggest poker pros in the world, Daniel Negreanu and Phil Hellmuth?
It sure looks that way.
This week on Negreanu's blog, the Canadian player called UB.com spokesperson "delusional".
"On Poker After Dark this week, the lineup looked like this: Patrik Antonius, myself, Gus Hansen, Phil Ivey, Tom Dwan, and Phil Hellmuth. It was a cash game, and that will be the case again next week with all the players changing seats for week two. If you watched the shows this week you'd know that I booked Phil Hellmuth's action in the game. I have a lot of respect for the fact that Gus, Ivey, Durr, and Patrik play tons of hours of NL cash games on a regular basis and that my game isn't quite good enough to compete with them unless I put in a lot of hours of my own. These episodes were filmed last year, and I hadn't played enough to feel like I could compete with those guys, but I thought it would be a great challenge.
"Hellmuth somehow felt that despite not playing cash games regularly against anyone, that he could just walk right into this game and be a favorite. I disagree and put my money where my mouth is by booking his action in the game. With the addition of the Hellmuth book, I went from feeling like -EV to +EV. Ivey, Durr, and Patrik just play at another level. In order to compete with them you have to work very hard, play lots of hours, and study your weaknesses. I'm willing to admit they are far better than I am at no limit cash games, but I think Hellmuth actually believes he is the "best no limit hold'em player in the world by far," (his words not mine). He's either lying to the public when he makes those statements, or, he genuinely believes that. Either way, he's either lying or completely delusional.
"If you want to be a successful poker player that reaches the highest levels, you simply can't do that unless you are aware of your weaknesses and focus on plugging those leaks. For most people, even after doing that, they'll simply never be good enough to play at the highest levels. That's just life. You have to accept that and find a game you can beat. Most people rise to their own level of ruin by always looking to play in games they can't beat. It's part ego, part delusion, and part competitive spirit.
"When I sit down in NL cash game with Ivey, Durr, and Patrik, I'm not delusional in the least. It's not ego either. I can afford to play with them, and it drives my competitive juices to try and play the best I can. Change the game to an 8-game mix, and I promise you, there isn't an 8 handed lineup I wouldn't play in. There are guys I respect, obviously, but that's an area where I do have a lot of confidence in my abilities."
Hellmuth was yet to respond to Negreanu, but we here at Gambling911.com believe it is just a matter of time before that happens.
Negreanu has also publicly dissed UB.com co-rep Annie Duke, implying that she is a "phony".
Ace King, Gambling911.com
