Let’s Get It On: Bitter Rivals Daniel Negreanu and Doug Polk to Battle Online

October 7th, 2020 | by Kaycee James

Daniel Negreanu and Doug Polk have agreed to settle their Twitter beef by playing a high-stakes heads-up match online.

Daniel Negreanu (pictured) will take on rival Doug Polk in a $200/$400 No Limit Hold’em match on WSOP.com. (Image: Masterclass)

The finer details of the match are yet to be confirmed. However, we do know that they’ll play 25,000 hands of $200/$400 No Limit Hold’em.

Where the battle will take place is undecided, but it’s likely to be WSOP.com. Additionally, there’s been no talk of a side bet. But, given how these things usually play out, we wouldn’t rule out some type of wager on the outcome.

Daniel Negreanu vs. Doug Polk

The genesis of Negreanu vs. Polk stems back to, well, a time unknown. The two pros have never seen eye to eye but the real turning point in their relationship came in 2018 when Polk to umbrage to Negreanu’s comments on rake.

As an ambassador for PokerStars, Negreanu said increased rake was better for players. A number of players criticized the comments, not least because they appeared to be nothing more than a positive spin on policy changes at PokerStars.

Doug Polk sticks it to Daniel Negreanu.

However, the outspoken Polk took more offence than most and used the comments as a way to poke Negreanu at every opportunity. For example, during the 2018 Super High Roller Bowl, he wore a t-shirt with the slogan “More Rake is Better.”

The pair have traded verbal shots on social media ever since and that resulted in talks of a HU4ROLLZ grudge match earlier this year. Unlike previous Twitter beefs, this one has actually developed into something real and now it’s time to squash it.

Entertainment for Everyone

Even if the match doesn’t end their feud, it will at least give one player bragging rights and, potentially, a healthy bankroll boost.

Polk has already said he’s ready to load up his WSOP.com account with $1 million ready for the match. As a representative for GGPoker, Negreanu wants to play there.

The anticipated start date is November 1 and Negreanu has said he needs to practice. However, those on the rail think all the practice in the world won’t save him.

Doug will crush you but good idea put it out there that you need practice; then when you get your azz handed to you there will be that excuse…..not a fan!!
— William Carlton (@Carltons11) October 6, 2020

Whatever the outcome, it will be something else to watch. Phil Galfond is currently engaged in his own heads-up battle, but Negreanu and Polk could steal the limelight. Either way, poker fans will get to see the game’s elite do battle for hundreds of thousands of dollars.