Daniel Negreanu doesn’t think Lucas Jumalon will be a one-hit wonder.
The Poker Hall of Famer, on a recent PokerNews Podcast, spoke glowing praises of the newest WSOP Main Event winner. Jumalon became the second-youngest World Champion ever a couple months ago when he took down poker’s biggest event for $10 million.
Many past WSOP Main Event champs either took their money and ran or simply never had another major win. But Negreanu doesn’t seem to think that’s going to be the case with the young pro from Utah.
Negreanu on Jumalon
Negreanu discussed numerous topics on the podcast, including soon becoming a father and the WSOP Player of the Year race. He also shared his thoughts on Jumalon, a young player the poker world hasn’t seen much of outside his dominant WSOP Main Event run.
Negreanu didn’t just praise Jumalon’s poker game. He also spoke highly of the champ’s character.
“This kid, he reached out to me in DM, very mature, well beyond his years. Super respectful of my generation ” Negreanu said.
The Poker Hall of Famer said he met with Jumalon when he did Nick Schulman’s new Sirius/XM radio show. He called Jumalon a “breath of fresh air” who treats people and the game “with the utmost respect.”
That’s high praise coming from someone not only considered one of the best poker players ever, but arguably the most popular poker player in history. Negreanu then discussed Jumalon’s Main Event performance and what he expects to see from the champ going forward.
“He played great I thought. What I appreciated about him was, I’m sure he understands theory and all that, but he was like beyond that. He was like, forget being a slave, I’m going to do what makes sense against each player. He’s very self-aware. He understood how people perceive him, and really used that to advantage,” Negreanu said.
“Probably, of the Main Event champs … this guy really seems like one who wants the role, and he wants to do big things. And I think he’ll be around for quite a while.”
Jumalon had just $180,000 in live tournament cashes before his $10 million score. Since winning the Main Event, he’s picked up a few WSOP Circuit cashes and competed on the livestream at The Lodge Card Club in Texas. Unlike some past World Champions, he has openly said he wants to be a poker ambassador.
You can watch the full Negreanu interview on the PokerNews Podcast below.