Poker Stars Leave UB.com

Annie Duke and Phil Hellmuth have announced an end to their long association with online poker site UB.com. The two are the highest profile poker players to have parted company with the site who have seen a number of other card players move one over recent months. 

Duke and Hellmuth have both been sponsored players at UB.com since 2001 and follows hot on the heals of Billy Kopp, Michael Binger and Matt Graham. Hellmuth, the controversial, 11 WSOP bracelet winner has stated that he is signing for a rival company, while Duke says she is pursuing other avenues. 

The site issued a statement saying “After years of representing the brand Annie has decided to pursue other projects on a full-time basis.” Dukes own comment said that she had nothing but positive things to say about the brand that have worked hard to deliver a terrific poker experience but that now was the time to move on. She also confirmed her intention to remain a part of the poker playing community and will still be found online and at live events. 

Hours later a statement from the site saying, “UltimateBet and Phil Hellmuth have mutually parted ways.” Hellmuth went on to announce his intentions to join the rival site WSOP.com. Loosing two such immediately recognisable players must come as a severe blow to the poker site but they maintain that they will continue to attract young, aggressive poker players and have some exciting new announcements to make shortly.