Daniel Negreanu Welcomes Alexandra Botez as Latest GGPoker Ambassador w/ Heads-Up Match
After flying the flag for various online poker rooms, chess superstar Alexandra Botez appears to have found a permanent home after being unveiled as the latest ambassador for GGPoker.
Joined by Daniel Negreanu in sunny Las Vegas, the face of GG welcomed Botez into the fold with a heads-up duel.
Botez has previously been patched by PokerStars in the Mystery Cash Challenge and by 888poker at the 2023 WSOP Main Event, but in this video the duo touched on the latest GG Ambassadors' poker beginnings and a variety of hot topics that have made recent headlines in the poker news space.
What Did We Find Out About Botez?
Botez shared that her poker beginnings came from when her father taught her the game as a child. Negreanu, a Romanian-Canadian, was Papa Botez's favorite player to watch because they shared the same heritage.
As Botez furthers her foray into poker, she also revealed that she's been receiving some poker coaching. Botez identified Landon Tice as someone she's been working with and employed some of his teachings as the battle unfolded and also said she's been getting some help from Chance Kornuth as well.
"I like it because I have a GTO guy and a live tell guy," explained Botez. "So together, [it's a] perfect combo."
Further into the video, Negreanu asked Botez if she preferred poker tournaments or cash games. Botez opted for the former due to being tournaments feeling "less gambly" and tournaments reminding her more of chess.
"In chess tournaments, you're playing ten days of 6-8 hours of chess plus the prep before. It's kind of a marathon [like poker tournaments]. Cash is great, but it's usually one day that goes really long. Tournaments are the closest thing I've found to chess. I still enjoy chess, but obviously, it's less fun when you're not a beginner, so I feel I get to be a beginner again."
Later on, Botez confirmed that she'll be at the 2024 World Series of Poker and is looking to put in a full schedule of events. On a side note, Alexandra, if you're free on June 25, you should definitely check out the $600 PokerNews DeepStack Championship. We're sure you'll have a great time!
"Poker More Accessible Than Chess" says Twitch Streamer Alexandra Botez
Topics of Discussion
The state of online poker was also discussed as the pair chatted, with Botez asking Negreanu questions about recent controversies surrounding GGPoker. Back in December, the brand issued an announcement stating that a player called "Moneytaker69" had been banned, with almost $30,000 in unfair winnings confiscated. Details of the scandal came to light following a post on the 2+2 poker forums.
"I have a lot of faith and trust in the team at GG"
"Ever since I've been in poker, you had all these stories of cheats and stuff like that," said Negreanu. "Any time there is a lot of money involved, you're always going to have people a) trying to cheat and b) the operators, who have the responsibility to stay one step ahead.
"You've got the cheats trying to figure things out, and then you have the tech guys trying to stay a step ahead of them. You're always going to see that, but I have a lot of faith and trust in the team at GG."
"GG, in the last couple of years, they've released, I think, 200 accounts that were trying to do stuff. If you're going to try to do things on there, you will get caught. I have a firm belief in that. That doesn't stop people from trying, and that's always going to be the case."
The conversation then segued on that jack-four hand between Garrett Adelstein and Robbi Jade Lew. Negreanu shared that he was on the side that Lew didn't cheat.
"I don't [think she cheated]; I think it's above zero," said Negreanu with his hands up in the air. "But I don't know. I never would have accused her in the moment because without evidence, it's not a thing to do."
The other topics of discussion brought up included masks at the table and ladies-only poker tournaments. Be sure to check out the broadcast to find out what both players said.
GGPoker Bans Superuser "Moneytaker69" After Client Vulnerability Exposed
Who Came Out on Top?
In the first major hand from the friendly heads-up encounter, Negreanu raised to 500 (Blinds 100/200) with K♥4♥ from the button and called when Botez three-bet to 2,000 with A♥Q♣. The latter continued for 1,600 on the J♥9♥4♣ flop and was called. The turn was gin for Negreanu as it brought in the 4♠. Botez slowed down and check-called for 2,000 with her ace-high. The 9♦ river saw Negreanu boat up, and Botez check-folded to a bet of 4,500.
A few more pots were traded back and forth, with Negreanu retaining his chip advantage. And he further pulled away after Botez ran an ambitious triple barrel bluff. Botez, with Q♥7♦, opened to 1,600 and Negreanu defended with 6♠4♠. Negreanu check-called bets of 800 and 2,000 for the board to read 5♣4♦3♠2♦8♥. With a six-high straight and the checkmark, Negreanu laid the trap and checked for a third time. Botez took the bait and fired out 7,000, leaving her with very little behind.
"She's in the tank...you're leaving yourself a crumb just in case," said Negreanu. "Usually, when people leave themself a crumb, they're bluffing because they want to save a little something for bus fare."
"Maybe I wanted you to think that," Botez chimed back. Negreanu then announced all-in. "Damn it, Daniel. This is bull," laughed Botez as she folded her cards.
Shortly after, Botez shipped in her last 3,400 with A♥3♥, and Negreanu paid tribute to the late Doyle Brunson before calling with 10♠2♣. Neither player connected on the runout, meaning Botez's ace-high was enough to book the double-up. A mistimed preflop jam from Negreanu saw his 7♦6♣ run into 9♦9♣, with the pocket pair remaining best.
Despite a brief rally, Negreanu continued to chip away at Botez's stack and the final hand saw Negreanu seal the win with the dirty diaper. The chips were in the middle, and the cards were face up. Negreanu had 3♦2♣ and was behind the K♣J♥ held by Botez. Negreanu paired his deuce on the flop, and the board ran out clean for Kid Poker.
Botez immediately whipped out the chess board, and well, we think we know what happened after this message ended the broadcast.
Calum has been a part of the PokerNews team since September 2021 after working in the UK energy sector. He played his first hand of poker in 2017 and immediately fell in love with the game. Calum's proudest poker achievement is winning the only tournament he has ever played in Las Vegas, the prestigious $60 Flamingo evening event.
