Seat 4: Daniel Neilson (24, Sydney, Australia) – 6,700,000
Daniel Neilson has been playing poker for around five years, starting in home games, but swiftly graduating to playing online where he now mainly plays cash games. He has also had numerous successes in live events with nearly 40 cashes in the last three years, totaling more than $700,000.
His wins include the ANZPT Sydney High Rollers Challenge two years ago and the ANZPT Perth High Stakes event in March. He has also won two other major Aussie Main Events and, in 2010, was voted Australian Poker Player of the Year.
“I turned up in San Remo with the same expectations as any poker tournament: I think I have a good chance, but I don’t expect too much. I have a big reputation for shrugging my shoulders if I go out and not really caring. That said, I don’t think I’m going out in eighth place, so yes, this would be my biggest live cash.”
Neilson came to Europe – his first visit here – with a bunch of poker friends to compete in a several events. He came 45th at EPT London for ￡13,000, but was one of the first out of the WSOP Europe Main Event in Cannes when he ran aces into a flush draw in the first ten minutes. After San Remo, he is planning to head to Amsterdam for the Master Classics and then on to EPT Loutraki.
Bio courtesy of PokerStars.