partypoker Announces New Sponsored Pros for Team Online
Shortly after the recent announcements of Isaac Haxton and Philipp Gruissem joining the ranks of partypoker Team Pros, the site announced the creation of Team Online, consisting of a new group of sponsored pros to represent the site online and in live events.
The newest additions consist of one top Austrian pro, Josip Simunic, as well as three Brazilian players.
In addition to being one of Austria’s most accomplished poker players coming in at ninth on the country’s all time money list, Simunic is also a former semi-pro handball player. He got hooked on the game of poker after watching WSOP coverage on TV, and hasn’t looked back.
Simunic has proven himself to be a regular force on the European poker scene, with $1.3 million in live tournament earnings including a win in the 2014 Swiss Poker Championships for more than $85,000 and another in the Deauville High Roller, where he gained hero status for coming back from just three big blinds to lock up his career-best score of $350,000.
Simunic will be joining the German commentary team during the livestream of the MILLIONS Grand Final in Barcelona in April in addition to playing partypoker LIVE and online events.
“I’m delighted to be joining partypoker, especially just after the 2018 series announcement. There are so many dates now on offer throughout the year it’s a great time to be joining partypoker! On the live circuit, it’s been great to see how the partypoker MILLIONS events have really captured everyone’s imagination; I know the atmosphere at this year’s tournaments is going to be incredible,” Simunic said.
Representing Brazil
The other three players patching on are all Brazilians who will be joining their country mates Joao Simao, Luiza Simao and Bruno Gagliasso.
Renato Nomura won the Title Fight at partypoker last February for more than $52,000 and has over $1 million in combined live and online cashes to his credit, $850,000 coming from the online world.
About his new sponsorship, Nomura said, “I am really looking forward to representing the partypoker brand. There’s a lot of great players in our country and competition is pretty fierce so I am thrilled to have been chosen to join the new online team.”
"partypoker is making such a big impact at the moment so this is a great time to be joining the team."
Lui Martins is another Brazilian player who has proven himself in the online and live poker arenas. A former World of Warcraft and Quake specialist, Martins made the switch to poker like many other eSports crushers, and has found success with more than $500,000 in online winnings to date.
Some of his best scores include taking third in the Title Fight back in August and a runner-up finish worth $115,248, also coming last year. On the live grind, Martins finished fourth in the 2016 WSOP International Circuit São Paulo Main Event for $79,457.
“partypoker is making such a big impact at the moment so this is a great time to be joining the team. I know it’s going to be very exciting as well as a lot of fun,” Martins commented.
Day Kotoviezy is also joining the Brazilian contingency at partypoker. The professional poker player with a BSOP Ladies Event title to her credit also serves as a poker coach and mentor at Brazil’s Massari Poker School.
“Joining partypoker Team Online alongside Renato and Lui really is a dream come true for me. Poker has become my life so this really is a fantastic honour.”
If you follow the online action during POWERFEST, you may be on the lookout for these names as all have confirmed they are playing the series.
partypoker Managing Director Tom Waters is equally excited about the start to Team Online.
“The recruitment of Renato, Josip, Lui and Day has got Team Online off to a really great start. These are players who have a true passion for the game and I know they will be amazing ambassadors for partypoker wherever they play.”
