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QUESTION: You drew of Evelyn Ng in the first round, who is a friend of yours from back in Canada. Since she knows you as well as you know her, did you do anything out of the ordinary during the match that wouldn't usually do?

DANIEL NEGREANU: Not so much. While it's true that she had a good feel for my game, I've basically helped her devise the strategy that she uses. She is very aggressive before the flop, so my goal was to set a trap for her and hope that she fell in.

Q: You've been known to ask players what country they're from in order to gain some information about their hand. If someone says "Canada," what information does that give you?

DN: That's just the first question, then the second question might be, "what part of Canada?" If a guy tells me he's from the Yukon Territory, I'd assume he's tough, not easily rattled, and has a lot of heart. How else could he put up with the weather? If a guy tells me he's from Toronto, that will make me lean towards believing that he has good people reading skills. Why? Well, because Toronto is the most multi-cultural city in the world, so you routinely deal with all kinds of people. That translates well at the poker table.

Q: What about "American?"

DN: Again, I'd say, "which part?" This is a broad generalization, but I've noticed the players from the West Coast are very aggressive but also deal with more emotional issues related to poker. When they're losing, they often lack patience. On the East Coast, surprising as it may seem, players are much more timid. You wouldn't think that it's easy to bully a guy from New York, but it's often true. East Coast players are more conservative. The tricky read is the South. Playing down South, you're never sure what type of player you'll be dealing with. Kind of like a box of chocolates - you never know which one you're gonna get.

Q: Can you tell us about any new projects you currently have going on?

DN: I am in the midst of crowning my new prot�g�. I held a contest of sorts at fullcontactpoker.net where the winner gets a taste of living the life of a professional poker player. For four months, this prot�g� will travel with me to four of the million dollar tournaments on the circuit. All the while he'll be under my tutelage, and Full Contact Poker will be providing the buy-ins. It's a great opportunity for someone who thinks they have what it takes to be the next poker superstar.

Q: If you could be another living poker player, who would you be and why?

DN: Chip Reese, because he's got it all figured out and lives a great life.

Q: Right now, no limit hold'em is the most trendy poker game. What do you think the next trendy game will be?

DN: I think it will still be no-limit hold'em, but I think heads-up NL no-limit hold'em is the next hot trend in poker. More and more people are playing it these days. Josh Lochner beating out 30,000 people at NBCHeadsUp.com to earn a spot in this tournament's 64-player field is a testament to that.

Q: Predictions for yourself: when will you stop playing poker, and when you do stop, what will you do?

DN: How about never? I don't see any reason why I would ever want to stop. Having said that, I see myself doing a lot of exciting things in addition to playing poker. A lot more work on the business side of poker, helping to promote the game, etc

nice read, thanks for posting

Cool Interview. Thanks man, (sup Balloon?)

The HU match looked ........a little awkward between them. I dunno, the past and everything. Evy looked sorta sad and D looked a little uncomfortable. Oh well, I'm sure they are good friends.

I thought DN was very condescending throughout the entire match. I dont care if we were friends that would piss me off, especially on television. He was criticizing every play and telling her 'what she should have done.' It was embarrassing, even if he was absolutely right, its not the point.

a bit late but thanks for the post