Famous Texas Holdem poker player Daniel Negreanu had a conversation with a journalist Steven Murphy. They talked about WSOPE (Negreanu finished on the second place), famous naked photo session and Phil Ivey.

• You have finished second at one of the most prestigious tournaments. It is a very good result but you are little bit disappointed, are not you?

•  I let it go pretty fast. I was very confident at WSOPE and played strong. I had a chance to win my fifth bracelet. But I have been so unlucky playing at final tables this year! It was a second time I had to stop just in one step from a title! But I have reached one of my goals – I became first in the list of poker players ranged by money earned at different tournaments. And my second place at WSOPE was enough to be number one in this list.

• You have noticed in your blog the input of your mother…

- My parents are much better than me. They are truly kind and wonderful people. If I have something good it came from them. My mother taught me to love people, not only friends or relatives. She was the most disinterested person I ever met.

• You have started to play at the final table of WSOPE with a small stake. And you did a great job to get to the final battle against Shulman. How does it feel to play so brilliant and become only a runner-up?

• It is difficult to understand. I spent 7 hours at the table before all other players except me and Shulman were eliminated. Every time when I fell down I climbed back. And again I faced problems and fell down. When I am thinking about this game I understand that I did everything right. If I had a chance I would not change anything.

•  There are many disputes about WSOPE and Las-Vegas World Series tournaments. Experts compare value of two bracelets.
- Of course, Las-Vegas Main Event bracelet is the main goal. Journalists think that this tournament is the most interesting. But just imagine how difficult it is to win several thousand Texas Holdem players. There were nine strongest players at my first table at WSOPE. It would never happen at World Series in Las-Vegas. People make many mistakes at ME WSOPE. And I had to force opponents to make mistake in London. So, we just talk about two different poker brands. Definitely, WSOPE is the toughest No-Limit Texas Holdem tournament.

• You became number one in the list of poker players ranged by size of winnings after WSOPE. It means that nobody earned more than you at different tournament. How do you feel about it?

- I am really proud. All the more I am proud because I achieved it little by little. Not like Jimmy Gold who won one tournament. I gained 4,5 million in 2004 but it was a big surprise. So, I can repeat that I am really proud.

• Obviously Phil Ivey has got good chances to leave you behind after November Nine. Will you grieve for or against him?

- I will not grieve for him to beat my record. I will grieve for him winning the tournament. He is my friend and best poker player in the world. Imagine, how it would be great if the best poker player wins largest tournament taking biggest prize!

• Let’s go to the society column. You took part in naked photo session for ESPN the Magazine’s Body Issue. Tell us about it.

- I believe everyone was thinking if we need it or not . Actually, I refused the offer twice and decided to take part only at the third time. But as soon as I found out that Patrick Antonius and Gus Hansen won’t take part in photo session I decided to try. I can look fine among other guys.

• Were you nervous during the shooting?
- No I was not cause it was my job. And we had good results. Besides I saw Jennifer Harman naked before. So, I felt comfortable enough. And I became tanned for this project. I also tried to pull in my stomach to look better.

Also recommended:

1. Shulman defeats Negranu in ME WSOPE 2009
2. Tells in Live Texas Holdem