Daniel Colman made headlines when he won $15.3 million at the recent Big One for One Drop poker event in Las Vegas. Colman who is only 23 years old defeated poker pro Daniel Negreanu and then surprised everyone when he refused to speak to the media, which were present in large numbers. Colman shunned all interviews and had to be persuaded by the event’s organizers to pose for a photo with the cash that he won. Colman is reported to have left the venue within 15 minutes after winning the event.
Although Colman has been playing poker for a few years, he is a relatively new on the poker circuit and not known very well. Many players took to the forums to discuss Colman’s attitude in avoiding the media and not celebrating his win. Colman decided to respond and clear the air as to why he avoided the media.
In a statement on the popular Two Plus Two forum, Colman said
First off, I don’t owe poker a single thing. I’ve been fortunate enough to benefit financially from this game, but I have played it long enough to see the ugly side of this world. It is not a game where the pros are always happy and living a fulfilling life. To have a job where you are at the mercy of variance can be insanely stressful and can lead to a lot of unhealthy habits. I would never in a million years recommend for someone to try and make it as a poker pro
His opponent, Daniel Negreanu respected Colman’s stance and empathized with those individuals who convince themselves that it’s easy to become a poker superstar overnight and win millions. Negreanu went on to comment on Colman saying
it’s difficult to take the position he does, and actually still profit from the game, and the weaker players he exploits.
Colman’s statement on the Two Plus Two forum drew a mixed response from other poker players. One poker player suggested that it was not correct for Colman to say that he did not owe anything to Poker. The user commented by saying when a waitress serves you food and drinks at a restaurant you do not owe her a thank you or a tip but it is a gracious custom, similar to doing an interview on winning a tournament!
