Battlelines Drawn: Daniel Negreanu vs. Doug Polk Gets Underway on November 1

October 26th, 2020 | by Kaycee James

Doug Polk and Daniel Negreanu will lock horns on November 1 in what could become one of the biggest heads-up matches in online poker history.

Daniel Negreanu (pictured) and Doug Polk will start their highly anticipated grudge match on November 1. (Image: MasterClass)

The two pros have had a fractious relationship over the last few years. Polk has taken exception to what he sees as Negreanu being on the wrong side of the corporate line.

Negreanu, on the other hand, isn’t a fan of Polk’s brash and antagonistic ways. However, personal opinions aside, they both respect each other’s skills and now they’re putting them to the test.

Negreanu vs. Polk Catches Fire

News of a potential showdown gathered steam in early October. The pair had floated the idea of a high-stakes grudge match for some time but the posturing turning into negotiations on October 6.

The more I learn about poker the more I realize how much I don’t know.
It’s challenging, which makes it fun.
Excited to get started and hope to put on a great show.
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) October 23, 2020

Negreanu confirmed the match would happen but the finer details were yet to be worked out. What we did find out, however, was that the online match would last for 25,000 hands and the game would be $200/$400 No Limit Hold’em.

The players have since agreed to keep their stacks deep at all times and, more importantly, play the match on WSOP.com. Both will deposit $1 million and play two tables simultaneously. The final clause of note is that either player can withdraw from the competition if they’re down “significantly” after 12,500 hands.

With everything set, the action will begin on November 1. Daniel Negreanu has said numerous times he’s ready to put on a show but acknowledges he’s the underdog.

Pros Favor Daniel Negreanu

Polk and his supporters agree, but some of poker’s biggest names don’t. Mike Matusow recently tweeted that he’s bet $10,000 on Negreanu to win. Phil Hellmuth is also backing Kid Poker. He’s bet Doug Polk $10,000 at 4:1 that Negreanu will win.

Whichever side of the fence you sit, the match has all the makings of an epic. Tom Dwan’s infamous Durrrr Challenge started with a bang but ended with a whimper when the matches ground to a halt.

More recently, Phil Galfond has taken up the mantle and challenged all-comers. He’s currently in battling Chance Kornuth in a match that’s captivated the rail in recent weeks.

When Negreanu and Polk started betting, the poker community will have something else focus on as the world at large continues to face the threat of COVID-19 lockdowns.