Daniels Protege Making His Own Mark

Poker Pro Daniel Negreanu had the idea for a great promotion from receiving e-mails from hundreds of poker enthusiasts who think that they have what it takes to be a poker legend, but who needs their personal obi-wan to do so (yes, they want Daniel to take them under his wing). "Of course I can't help everybody, " he said, but the 2004 Player of the Year and FullContactPoker.com spokesperson launched "Daniel's Protege", a single table tournament that's made up of 10 online qualifiers hoping to bag the coveted top spot that will be their ticket to being under Negreanu's tutelage (of course $40, 000 in tournament entry fees is not bad either).

"(The winner) gets a chance to be the person that I take under my wing and take on the road for fourth months, " Negreanu said. "(He'll get) a taste of the life; what it's like to be a pro. I'll teach him everything I know, fix his game and make him a better poker player and give him a chance to win millions."

"Daniel's Protege" lucky winner Brian Fidler has been on the road with his 'master' after having played the game for only a little more than two years, and has proven that inner Luke can be brought out under the right guidance. The 27 year-old hedge fund accountant from Stamford, Conn. finished second at the World Series of Poker Circuit event at Lake Tahoe Early June and netted more than a whopping $200, 000 in winnings. Not bad for a pro-tour beginner, eh?

"It takes skill of course, but it also takes a good run of cards, " says Fidler. "It's amazing how many great players there were at (the circuit event), and I outlasted 108 of 109 of them. It's crazy." Fidler knows that learning does not end here, and more important lessons are still on their way. Fidler will be learning the finer points in playing poker under Negreanu for four months since winning.

Fidler has already played in two $10, 000 buy-in events, with the $10, 000 WSOP main event in July coming up. The remaining $10, 000 he will be using for smaller buy-in events starting in mid-July.

Aside from the prize money and the wisdom (of course!) that came from winning "Daniel's Protege", Fidler has also been enjoying the perks of being a game pro, some of the sweeter things in life like skipping lines at exclusive clubs in Vegas, or teeing off in golf with poker big names.

One event to watch out for is Fidler's turn to go up against his mentor, and if the stars smile down once again at him, it might just be at the 2006 World Series of Poker.

August 26, 2006
Jeremy Evans