The world-renowned Canadian poker pro outlasted 6,410 players but couldn’t make it past 11th, which will keep him from making an appearance at the celebrated final table in November.
“It would have been fun,” said Negreanu moments after busting.
Negreanu busted in dramatic fashion when he flopped top-pair but couldn’t fade his opponent Joe McKeehen’s numerous outs, which included straight and flush draws.
McKeehen completed his straight on the river and Negreanu collapsed on the floor.
“I was shocked,” he said. “I actually legitimately lost my knees and hit my head. I’m a little dizzy but nothing a little vodka-something can’t heal.”
Poker Fans Cram into Rio for Negreanu Watch
Negreanu is the all-time live tournament money leader with over $30 million in earnings but he’s never made the final table of the Main Event.
It was standing room only in the Amazon Room with the vast majority of fans cheering for Negreanu every time he scooped a pot.
“It was electric,” he said.
“The thunderdome was rocking. Everyone was really excited for me. I felt the energy. I felt like it was bigger than me.”
Negreanu making the final table would have sent ripples throughout the poker world with a good chance of record ratings on ESPN and more media exposure for the game.
He did receive $526,778 for finishing 11th but missing the final table will likely haunt Negreanu for awhile.
Negreanu maintained that he wasn’t thinking about the eventual final table or the $7.6 million for first place. He was just taking it one hand at a time.
“The [November] Nine never crossed my mind, it really didn’t,” he said.
Visit www.pokerlistings.com