The online sports betting hub Matchbook recently announced their intentions to sponsor a very impressive 10-player roster for the 2012 WSOP. Dan “Jungleman12” Cates and Sam Trickett headline the group of players that will be seeking gold bracelets and WSOP glory.
Good Friends and Great Players
Trickett commented on his signing by saying, “It was an easy choice partnering with Matchbook for the WSOP. Not only are all the players extremely talented, but the majority of the team is also very good friends.” He finished by adding, “It’s a unique environment to have as a poker team, but provides us all with added support. I’m sure we are all going to have a fun and profitable summer together.”
It’s interesting timing that Trickett joins Matchbook because he just left Titan Poker not long ago. He and Titan parted on good terms as the European site looks to focus on their recreational players – rather than using sponsored pros to lure people. If you’re interested in taking advantage of these recreational players, sign up at Titan Poker with the “mac500” bonus code so you get a big signup bonus.
As mentioned before, Cates is another prominent player in this deal since he’s well-known within the high stakes cash game community. In 2010, Jungleman12 led all online poker players with $5 million in profits, and he has over $7 million in career earnings. Rounding out the newly-sponsored Matchbook players are Ben Vinson, James Akenhead, Jarred Solomon, John Hewitt, JP Kelly, Martins Adeniya, Matt Perrins and Roberto Romanello. Here’s a quick look at each player’s accomplishments in-depth.
Team Matchbook Player Achievements
Ben Vinson – $782,586 in live poker tournament winnings, third place in Grosvenor Poker Tour Blackpool Main Event.
Dan “Jungleman12” Cates – Arguably the world’s best online Hold’em player, over $7 million in cash game profits.
James Akenhead – $3,060,049 in live tourney winnings, 2009 Full Tilt Million VIII winner, ninth place in 2009 WSOP Main Event.
Jarred Solomon – $735,282 in tournament earnings, runner-up in 2011 WSOP $10k Pot-Limit Omaha Championship, fifth place in 2010 WSOP $2,500 Limit Hold’em (6-max).
John Hewitt – $624,887 in career tournament winnings, 10th place in 2011 WSOP Main Event.
JP Kelly – $1,792,750 in poker tournament earnings, 2009 WSOP $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha winner, 2009 WSOPE £1,000 No-Limit Hold’em champion, 26th in 2011 WSOP Main Event.
Martins Adeniya – $461,277 in tourneys winnings, seventh place in EPT/UKIPT London Main Event.
Matt Perrins – Has won $781,267 in live tournaments, 2009 IPT Venezia Main Event winner, 2011 WSOP $1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball champion.
Roberto Romanello – $2,541,035 in live tournament winnings, 2010 EPT Prague Main Event winner, 2011 WPT Bratislava champ, 2011 EPT Barcelona 6-Max Hold’em side event winner.
Sam Trickett – UK’s all-time leader in tournaments winnings with $6,359,096, won the 2011 Partouche Poker Tour Main Event, 2011 Aussie Millions $100k High Roller champion.
Judging from everything these players have accomplished, there’s a good chance that Team Matchbook could be taking home at least one or two bracelets from the 2012 WSOP.