Daniel Negreanu has urged WSOP officials to take action over what he described as “disruptive” and “problematic” behaviour from an unnamed player at the World Series of Poker.
The seven-time WSOP bracelet winner made the comments in his latest vlog during the $250,000 Super High Roller, where he claimed the player’s presence had put others off entering one of the biggest buy-in events of the summer.
Negreanu did not name the player directly, but said viewers could “guess.” His comments appear to be aimed at Martin Kabrhel, who was involved in a tense exchange with Negreanu during the same event.
Negreanu Says Players Skipped the $250K Event
Speaking alongside Jason Koon, Negreanu said the situation had become serious enough to discuss with tournament staff.
“There’s a gentleman in this tournament that has actively, because he’s in this tournament, caused about five or six people we would have liked to have in this tournament,” Negreanu said.
Koon suggested the number may have been even higher, before adding that there is a clear difference between normal table banter and behaviour that damages the playing experience.
“We all love table talk,” Koon said. “I love banter, I like people getting excited. I even like a little trash-talking, but once it crosses the line to abuse and harassment, come on man, you’re just ruining everyone’s experience.”
Negreanu went further, saying he “would have banned him five years ago,” and added that “something’s got to be done.”
A Bigger Issue for the WSOP?
The $250,000 Super High Roller drew 56 entries this year, down from 63 in 2025. If Negreanu’s estimate is correct, the event may have matched last year’s turnout had those players decided to register.
That matters because the Super High Roller is not just another bracelet event. It attracts elite professionals, high-stakes regulars, and wealthy recreational players. If even a handful of players choose not to enter because of one opponent’s behaviour, that creates a real problem for organisers.
Negreanu’s words also carry weight. The Canadian poker legend is one of the most decorated and recognisable players in the game. He won his first WSOP bracelet in 1998, became a Poker Hall of Fame inductee in 2014, and ended an 11-year bracelet drought in 2024 by winning the prestigious $50,000 Poker Players Championship.
Kabrhel remains a divisive figure. Some fans enjoy his loud, theatrical style, and he regularly draws attention at the table and on the rail. Others have criticised his conduct, with several players voicing frustration during this year’s WSOP.
For now, the WSOP has not announced any formal action. But with Negreanu, Koon, and others raising the issue publicly, the debate around table talk, gamesmanship, and harassment is unlikely to disappear soon.
