Who is the Best Poker Player?

I watch a lot of the poker on tv, but I know it’s only snippets of everything that goes on.  Still, what I see is all I can use to go on.

My pick for best poker player (as you probably know) is Daniel Negreanu.  Here are Daniel’s attributes in video game rating fashion:

Reads: 10/10 – No one can make the correct read every time, but Daniel’s ability to call cards is nothing short of amazing.  He not only is spectacular, but consistent in knowing his opponents card.  He’ll lay down the big hand and go hard with a mediocre hand once he makes his mind up.  He’s got consistency, confidence, and spectacular ability to read.  This is his best attribute and is the biggest component of poker once you’ve got the fundamentals down.  The best reader: Daniel Negreanu.

Bluffing Power: 7/10 – Daniel’s not a notorious bluffer, but he can make a move when relying on his reading power.  I think Daniel stays away from bluffing for the most part as it doesn’t suit his game.  It’s a slight nuance in poker, but I think Daniel more likes to outplay his opponents rather than straight bluff them.  The best bluffer: Gus Hansen

Talk: 8/10 – Daniel is no Jamie Gold, but he can talk a good game.  He usually stays low key so as not to give information away, but he can talk his opponents out of hands by telling them what they do have or what they’re drawing on.  Not that it improves his performance, but Daniel is also quiet entertaining for TV purposes when he talks his hand through when the final action rests on him.  The best talker: Jamie Gold.

Likability: 9/10 – Daniel is not only respected, but also well liked within the poker community.  His friendliness gets opponents to take it easier on him and he has more lasting power than a Phil Hellmuth or Jean-Robert Ballande because of it.  The most likable: Doyle Brunson.  (he’s not really overly friendly but everybody respects the hell out of him.)

Cash Game: 8/10 – One very dominant trait about Daniel that you may not know is he’s very thrifty.  Daniel hates to lose a wooden nickel.  He has tons of money and will keep it that way.  You’ll never see Daniel pretending to buy airplane trips like Scotty Nguyen.  Daniel likes his money in his pocket and it helps prevent him from getting loose with his money.  Typically, Daniel fares well in cash games, but he’s not in the legions of Phil Ivey.  The best cash game player: Phil Ivey.

Tournaments: 6/10 – Daniel seems to struggle more in tournament play.  I’ve never seen him advance decently far into the wades of the WSOP and its because of his aggressive style in tournament play.  In fact, Daniel might not have the patience to last in a huge field.  He’s caught too often making all or nothing moves and in larger tournaments this behavior will have you ousted in hours.  Daniel has been heard calling for rebuys more than once after tournaments.  The best tournament player: Dan Harrington, Greg Raymer (a close second).

What do you think?  I have Daniel listed as the best overall, but the subject is very debatable.