GGPOKER

As the poker world gears up for the grand launch of the 54th annual World Series of Poker (WSOP), a small group of poker aficionados is warming up for a special pre-WSOP event – the eagerly awaited $25k Fantasy Poker Draft. This unique gathering, merging the worlds of poker and fantasy sports, is a spectacle that offers a different flavor of thrill and anticipation from the traditional poker tournament.

Marking its 12th iteration this year, the Fantasy Poker Draft has gradually carved a niche in poker circles and is perceived as more than just a side event. It’s become an integral tradition in the annual poker calendar, fostering a sense of camaraderie and competition within the poker community. The man at the helm of this event is none other than globally acclaimed poker maestro Daniel Negreanu, who operates as the league’s commissioner.

The draft has become so popular over the years that it’s often considered the unofficial starter’s pistol for the summer poker season. It boasts a stellar line-up of players, an element of healthy competition, and a test of superior forecasting abilities. The draft has come a long way from a gathering of close friends to a recognized event in the poker world.

Looking back on the evolution of this extraordinary event, Negreanu expresses his immense satisfaction at seeing the fantasy draft flourish over the past dozen years. He highlights that this progression hasn’t been a solo journey, acknowledging the exceptional work done by the team at 25kfantasy.com. As they stand on the cusp of a new season, Negreanu is firmly convinced that this year will surpass all previous records.

An In-depth Exploration of the Fantasy Poker Draft Structure

To those unfamiliar with the concept, a poker fantasy draft might seem like a peculiar blend. However, those already engrossed in the world of fantasy sports will find themselves on familiar grounds with the draft’s auction-based structure, which forms the backbone of Negreanu’s league.

The mechanics of the draft are relatively straightforward but bring an edge-of-the-seat excitement that any poker enthusiast would relish. Participants are tasked with crafting a formidable team of eight poker players. How these teams come to be forms the crux of the event.

A team is allowed to nominate a poker player of their choosing with an initial bid. This sets off a fierce auction where the rest of the teams place their bids for the player. The gavel finally falls when the highest bid is placed, and the poker player is ‘sold’ to that team, representing them for the entire summer season.

The bidding process is not without its constraints, though. The participating teams are granted a virtual war chest of $200. The teams have the autonomy to invest their funds judiciously. Whether they choose to go all out on a top player or strategically spread their resources across a balanced team is entirely up to them.

Negreanu observes that the auction structure fosters a range of tactical approaches. Participants could pursue the ‘stars and scrubs’ technique, which involves backing both top-tier players and dark horses. Alternatively, they might choose to construct a balanced team, incorporating players of varying skill levels from across the spectrum.

Scoring and Ranking – The Heart of the Competition

Just like in any sport, the excitement of the Fantasy Poker Draft ultimately boils down to the scoring system. In this case, each time a player on a team cashes an event at the WSOP, they accumulate points for their team.

The point distribution system is nuanced, taking into account various factors such as the size of the field, the buy-in, the player’s position, and several other considerations. However, the most lucrative opportunity for teams lies in the prestigious Main Event, where a cash result fetches triple the points.

The Intricacies of Player Selection – An Insight into Negreanu’s Strategy

David “ODB” Baker, another poker luminary, lends a unique perspective to the draft, discussing how player values can fluctuate leading up to the event.

Negreanu prepares rigorously for the draft, adopting a meticulous approach when it comes to player selection. His strategy involves categorizing players into tiers on a color-coded spreadsheet. This document is continually updated to reflect evolving circumstances. One of Negreanu’s cardinal rules is to never bid on players without doing due diligence about their current form and mindset.

For those enticed by the thrill of the poker-fantasy sports hybrid but daunted by the hefty $25,000 entry fee, there’s good news. Mark Gregorich has introduced a $2,500 buy-in version, akin to a minor league. Additionally, David Baker has devised a pool that mirrors the format of a daily fantasy site, allowing players to construct teams based on the values from the draft. The entry fee for this is a more affordable $500.

Negreanu’s Choices

In a light-hearted, rapid-fire segment, Negreanu was put on the spot, asked to choose between pairs of players while considering equal costs. His choices were enlightening and displayed his deep understanding of the players’ skills, temperament, and the broader strategic landscape. Between Mike Matusow and Darren Elias, he chose Elias; between Phil Hellmuth and Phil Ivey, he favored Hellmuth given Ivey’s sparse schedule; he opted for Josh Arieh over Adam Hendrix, perhaps influenced by Arieh’s previous year’s performance on his team; when faced with a choice between Allen Kessler and Justin Bonomo, he picked Kessler humorously, to avoid rooting for Bonomo; and finally, when asked to choose between Shaun Deeb and himself, Negreanu opted for himself, mentioning Deeb’s weight loss bet that he believed might affect his stamina during the series.

Be Part of the Journey

The stage is set for the Fantasy Poker Draft, which occurred May 29th on the PokerGO studio in Las Vegas and you can watch the recorded stream on PokerGO’s YouTube channel.