If you missed the first part of this interview, click below. You will learn how Daniel got into poker, what he thinks are the differences between a good and a great player, and how important mathematics is in poker.
How did you overcome the loses earlier in your career?
I think one of the most important factors in my long-term success has been resilience – the ability to face tough times, allow yourself to vent, and then wake up in the morning hungry and ready to go at it again.
One of the biggest mistakes people make, in both poker and life, is not truly experiencing the moment. I let myself vent, feel it—but once I’ve processed it, I shift my focus and ask, Alright, what’s next? What are we going to do about it? The answer is simple: we show up, wake up the next morning, and get right back in there. But this isn’t for everyone. A lot of people can’t handle the stress and the pain of losing over and over again.
Is there a fear that someone could use AI in online poker tournaments to gain an unfair advantage and essentially sweep the board?
Anytime there’s money on the line, there will always be people looking for an advantage—whether fair or unfair. As software becomes more advanced, operators have to step up their game. It’s a constant cat-and-mouse battle: cheaters try to cheat, and we have to catch them.
The good news is that platforms like GGPoker have access to all hands played, allowing them to monitor activity closely. Some people have methods to spot bots, and once identified, those accounts get banned. A couple of years ago, for example, 60 accounts were shut down, and the money was confiscated.
How can you tell that someone is bluffing?
There are a few ways to tell if someone is bluffing. Everyone is different, but there are certain patterns that apply to many players. The key is observation—pay attention. If I sit with you for 20–30 minutes, I’ll watch everything you do and take note of the hands you show. If you bluff once, I’ll remember how you looked, what you did, and I’ll use that against you later—unless you try to reverse your behaviour, but I can usually spot those players too. Very few people are at a Tobey Maguire level. He actually got me once.
I was playing a cash game with him in California, and he went all-in. I started counting out my chips to call, and as I did, he grabbed his cards as if he was about to turn them over. That kind of body language usually means excitement — like he’s eager to show a strong hand. That’s what I thought. So I hesitated and said, ‘Wait, I haven’t called yet.’ At that moment, I knew I couldn’t beat whatever he had, so I folded. Then he flipped over a complete bluff. He’s an actor—he can pull that off.
What would you tell your younger self?
You’re going to make it—just keep being yourself. When I look back on my life, I don’t believe in regret. I don’t have regrets because I love where I am now. Every moment in my life has been an integral part of getting me here. Sure, there have been times when I think, I wouldn’t handle that the same way now, but I’m glad I handled it that way at the time because it taught me a valuable lesson. I think the biggest regret people have is when they don’t learn from their mistakes and just keep repeating the same patterns.
How long in advance you prepare for a tournament?
It's just about maintaining a generally healthy lifestyle. There's no specific routine like a certain type of meditation. I try to get 8 hours of sleep, which I manage pretty well. I also plan my meals—I’m vegan, so depending on where I’m going, I make sure I get the nutrients I need. I do try to plan ahead in that regard. But sleep, in particular, has become crucial for me. I've found that as I get older, my performance declines significantly when I'm tired.
How do you balance your life between poker and other activities?
When I play poker, I’m really focused for 9–10 days straight, then I won’t play for a month. That gives me time for my wife, for golf, for my fantasy hockey league. I either rest really hard or work really hard. Fortunately, I have the luxury now to take breaks like that, but when you're young, you just play.
Did you do some big mistakes you've had to learn from?
Yes, one big mistake happened in 2001 when I came 11th in the WSOP. I was the chip leader with 12 players left, but I got a little reckless. I was young and played an Ace-King against a guy with a pair of sixes. We went all-in, and I lost the hand, which really crippled me. It taught me that, despite all the talent and skill I had, I needed patience and to wait for the right moments. I also realized I needed to add more complexity to my game.
What is the role of emotional intelligence in poker?
About 10 years ago, I took a course on emotional intelligence. During this process, I realized how my overconfidence was met with misunderstanding by people. Emotional intelligence is probably one of the most valuable skill sets you can have. It’s essentially how you handle high-stress, high-pressure situations.
If you think about it, let’s say there are two people up for a job. Both have the same IQ, but the person with a higher EQ is more likely to get the job. That’s because they know how to relate to people and are very self-aware. The reason I’ve been able to stay in the game for 30 years is that I’ve always been able to recognize when others are better than me, learn from them, and humble myself.
One piece of advice for new players?
It won’t be easy. This will require sacrifice in many other areas of your life. You’ll have to devote yourself fully if you really want to reach the top. Are you willing to work hard?
You’ll need resilience, and you’ll always have to ask yourself why. You have to analyse everything you’ve just done, identify your mistakes, and plug those leaks and holes. It’s a constant process. You never truly master the game; you just keep getting better and better.
Source: YouTube/GentsTalkPodcast, Wiki, PokerNews, PGT