--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The world's most successful tournament…" description: "\"The world's most successful tournament competitors - like me, Phil Ivey, Erick Lindgren, Phil Hellmuth, and countless others - like to play small ball ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aff/daniel-negreanu-3966_football_the-world-s-most-successful-tournament-c_1053887.png" --- # The world's most successful tournament competitors - like… ![“The world's most successful tournament competitors - like me, Phil Ivey, Erick Lindgren, Phil Hellmuth, and countless others - like to play small ball poker. It's a style that we use to steadily increase our stacks in no limit hold'em tournaments without having to assume significant risk.” quote by Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aff/daniel-negreanu-3966_football_the-world-s-most-successful-tournament-c_1053887.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aff/daniel-negreanu-3966_football_the-world-s-most-successful-tournament-c_1053887.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aff/daniel-negreanu-3966_football_the-world-s-most-successful-tournament-c_1053887.png) > “The world's most successful tournament competitors - like me, Phil Ivey, Erick Lindgren, Phil Hellmuth, and countless others - like to play small ball poker. It's a style that we use to steadily increase our stacks in no limit hold'em tournaments without having to assume significant risk.” [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He favors a low‑risk, incremental approach in tournaments to grow his chip stack steadily. **In simple terms:** Play small, build chips gradually. Key Takeaway Use low‑risk tactics to increase resources. Themes strategy patience risk management Mood analytical pragmatic Type advisory educational When to use this quote - poker tournaments - financial investing - career development Key Concepts Game theory probability incremental advantage Questions to Reflect On - When is it better to take bigger risks? - How does small‑ball compare to aggressive play? A Different Perspective May limit upside potential in high‑stakes moments. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Poker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poker/) [Style](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/style/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [The secret behind playing small ball poker isn't so much in the hands you choose to play. It's more about the amount you choose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/the-secret-behind-playing-small-ball-poker-isn-t-so-much-in-the-hands/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [It's imperative to save a few chips whenever possible when playing small-ball poker. You never want to risk a high percentage of your chips…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/it-s-imperative-to-save-a-few-chips-whenever-possible-when-playing/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [In small ball poker, you'll need to widen your starting hand requirements beyond pocket pairs and A-K.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/in-small-ball-poker-you-ll-need-to-widen-your-starting-hand/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [I can play small ball because I can guard multiple positions because I can really move.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-randle/i-can-play-small-ball-because-i-can-guard-multiple-positions-because/) [Julius Randle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-randle/) > [One small ball in the air. I wouldn't believe that at this moment you have to fear the intelligence aspects of this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/one-small-ball-in-the-air-i-wouldn-t-believe-that-at-this-moment-you/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [Everybody makes a big deal about small ball. Well, I've guarded Anthony Davis every time I've played him, since he first came into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-tucker/everybody-makes-a-big-deal-about-small-ball-well-i-ve-guarded-anthony/) [P. J. Tucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-tucker/) > [Basketball, I think, is kind of transitioning more and more to small ball or position less basketball. So I think I can fit anywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyrese-haliburton/basketball-i-think-is-kind-of-transitioning-more-and-more-to-small/) [Tyrese Haliburton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyrese-haliburton/) > [Golf is a game whose aim is to hit a very small ball into an even smaller hole, with weapons singularly ill-designed for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/golf-is-a-game-whose-aim-is-to-hit-a-very-small-ball-into-an-even/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Small ball, spacing, shooting 3s, is something that everybody's trying to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-b-bickerstaff/small-ball-spacing-shooting-3s-is-something-that-everybody-s-trying/) [J. B. Bickerstaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-b-bickerstaff/) > [To be a great poker player, you're going to have to learn this fact: Everything that's said at a poker table is worth listening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/to-be-a-great-poker-player-you-re-going-to-have-to-learn-this-fact/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [As a general rule, the more precious the chips you'd consider betting, the more you should lean toward playing it safe. Check it down;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/as-a-general-rule-the-more-precious-the-chips-you-d-consider-betting/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [Success at poker is ultimately the result of solid fundamentals and the ability to read your opponents' betting patterns. This is especially true when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/success-at-poker-is-ultimately-the-result-of-solid-fundamentals-and/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [Deep-stack games like High Stakes Poker are the favorites among both poker pros and avid fans of televised poker. In these games, the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/deep-stack-games-like-high-stakes-poker-are-the-favorites-among-both/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [Chess is a great training ground for poker players because it's a math-based game, much like backgammon is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/chess-is-a-great-training-ground-for-poker-players-because-it-s-a/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [To be sure, playing it safe isn't a flashy style of poker. Some even claim that it's too weak and passive. That being said,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/to-be-sure-playing-it-safe-isn-t-a-flashy-style-of-poker-some-even/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) ## More by Daniel Negreanu > [To be sure, playing it safe isn't a flashy style of poker. Some even claim that it's too weak and passive. That being said,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/to-be-sure-playing-it-safe-isn-t-a-flashy-style-of-poker-some-even/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [Chess is a great training ground for poker players because it's a math-based game, much like backgammon is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/chess-is-a-great-training-ground-for-poker-players-because-it-s-a/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [I need some money. You got any money?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/i-need-some-money-you-got-any-money/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [Deep-stack games like High Stakes Poker are the favorites among both poker pros and avid fans of televised poker. In these games, the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/deep-stack-games-like-high-stakes-poker-are-the-favorites-among-both/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [The most important reason why it's dangerous to risk all your chips pre-flop is that you simply can't be certain that you are even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/the-most-important-reason-why-it-s-dangerous-to-risk-all-your-chips/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [I seldom reraise before the flop no matter what my hand is. By so doing, I'm able to disguise the strength of my hand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/i-seldom-reraise-before-the-flop-no-matter-what-my-hand-is-by-so/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [In tournaments, you want to steal the blinds as cheaply as possible without risking a high percentage of your chips.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/in-tournaments-you-want-to-steal-the-blinds-as-cheaply-as-possible/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [If I haven't played with a player before and I don't know anything about them, the more they tell me about themselves, the better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/if-i-haven-t-played-with-a-player-before-and-i-don-t-know-anything/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [I was very curious, that's why I think my reality TV seems normal. I watch a lot of reality TV because I am so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/i-was-very-curious-that-s-why-i-think-my-reality-tv-seems-normal-i/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [Success at poker is ultimately the result of solid fundamentals and the ability to read your opponents' betting patterns. This is especially true when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/success-at-poker-is-ultimately-the-result-of-solid-fundamentals-and/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [Beating a tight game requires focus. You'll need to seek out every opportunity where you can steal a big pot. One way is by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/beating-a-tight-game-requires-focus-you-ll-need-to-seek-out-every/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [I became vegan in 2006 when I started taking healthy eating seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/i-became-vegan-in-2006-when-i-started-taking-healthy-eating-seriously/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [The thing that can get confusing is you think, is this guy really a good player or does he just seem that way based…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/the-thing-that-can-get-confusing-is-you-think-is-this-guy-really-a/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [Some golf instructors get overly technical and teach the mechanics of the ideal swing. That approach didn't work for me. So, I found a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/some-golf-instructors-get-overly-technical-and-teach-the-mechanics-of/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) > [Powerful drawing hands, like a pair with a flush draw or even conventional straight and flush draws, are often good opportunities to try a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-negreanu/powerful-drawing-hands-like-a-pair-with-a-flush-draw-or-even/) [Daniel Negreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) [Explore all 118 Daniel Negreanu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-negreanu/) ## More Football quotes > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. 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I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [My team mates are fundamental for my characteristics, if they send in crosses I can play inside the area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filippo-inzaghi/my-team-mates-are-fundamental-for-my-characteristics-if-they-send-in/) [Filippo Inzaghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filippo-inzaghi/) > [The Copa del Rey is a different competition. It is football in its purest form and is different from the continuity of the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-laudrup/the-copa-del-rey-is-a-different-competition-it-is-football-in-its/) [Michael Laudrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-laudrup/) > [“Wild card, got it," Duncan said. "Just like in Crazy Eights. I can be a diamond; I can be a spade. Whatever you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-healy/wild-card-got-it-duncan-said-just-like-in-crazy-eights-i-can-be-a/) [Christopher Healy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-healy/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) > [I just enjoy winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-just-enjoy-winning/) [Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/) > [I think you can get, as a player, stuck in the mindset of trying too hard to prove yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/i-think-you-can-get-as-a-player-stuck-in-the-mindset-of-trying-too/) [Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/) > [We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/we-cannot-change-the-cards-we-are-dealt-just-how-we-play-the-hand/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) [Browse all 59,646 Football quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The world's most successful tournament competitors - like me, Phil Ivey, Erick Lindgren, Phil Hellmuth, and countless others - like to play small ball poker. 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