It’s becoming increasingly more expensive to play at the more expensive events
Daniel Negreanu, a seven-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner, recently offered a candid look into the financial realities of high-stakes poker. Sharing insights on social media, Negreanu highlighted that despite the allure of million-dollar cashes, the actual profits for high-roller tournament players are often much less impressive.
In 1999 if you traveled the world playing the highest stakes tournaments, you couldn’t spend more than $250,000.
In 2013 that number rose to roughly $1.2 million.
In 2025, that number is roughly $12 million.
You need to cash for $12 million+ to turn a profit if you play all…
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) April 19, 2025
Negreanu pointed out that the cost to participate in a full schedule of high-stakes tournaments has escalated dramatically over the years. In the late 1990s, it might have cost around $250,000 annually, but by 2023, that figure had risen to over $12 million. He emphasized that many players mitigate these expenses by selling portions of their action or swapping percentages with peers, making it challenging to assess true profitability based solely on public cashes.
In 2023, Negreanu himself faced a significant loss of over $2.2 million across 145 events, marking his most challenging year to date. He attributed this downturn to factors like overextending his schedule and encountering unfavorable variance in key moments. Despite these setbacks, he remains a prominent figure in the poker world, known for his transparency and continued success.
Contrastingly, Spanish pro Adrián Mateos had a stellar 2024, topping the global live tournament earnings list with over $13 million. His achievements included victories in prestigious events like the Triton Poker Series and the Super High Roller Bowl Series. Mateos’ consistent performances have propelled him to eighth on the all-time money list, with total live earnings exceeding $52 million.
The discussion initiated by Negreanu sparked varied responses from the poker community. While some, like Mateos, contested the estimated costs of playing a full high roller schedule, others acknowledged the challenges highlighted. The consensus underscores that while high-stakes poker offers the potential for substantial rewards, it also entails significant financial risks and complexities.
