Denilson signs for 888poker
We round-up some stories you may have missed, including another Brazil star joins a poker giant, more bad news for Kruse and a look into staking.
Football's latest poker ace
World Cup winner Denilson has agreed to become 888poker's latest ambassador in a move that comes amid a growing trend of inviting sports stars, particularly footballers, to represent the major poker brands. It also comes after the same firm made the snappy decision to remove Uruguayan star Luis Suarez, after he tucked in to an Italian mid-match at Brazil's home World Cup two years ago.
Of course, rivals PokerStars have former seleção favourite, and Denilson's ex-teammate, Ronaldo as well as current samba star Neymar in their stable alongside Portuguese favourite, the other Ronaldo, Cristiano.
Join us in welcoming ex-Brazilian footy star @denilsonshow to the #Team888 family! pic.twitter.com/Bs69vTXF2j
— 888poker (@888poker) March 21, 2016
Löw blow for Kruse
While poker is doing right by one ex pro, it provided the spark in another's downfall after German footballer Max Kruse was dropped from the national squad for their upcoming match against England. Manager Joachim Löw, took the decision following a bizarre set of events that ended up with the player's expulsion for further unprofessionalism.
Along with getting a fine for leaving £60,000 worth of poker winnings in a taxi back in October, this week Kruse reportedly grabbed the phone of a woman who was taking pictures of him celebrating his 28th birthday in a Berlin night club.
This action, and his public admonishment for his love of the chocolate spread Nutella, have left the player spinning after a horrendous week that has also included the unlucky Wolfburg striker repaying his debt to society by joining the team's community programme, where he was snapped sporting a fetching pair of green dungarees while building a chicken coop.
Podcast focuses on staking
An NPR podcast this week shone an interesting light on poker staking. Taking a look into Jake Balsiger's third place finish in the 2012 WSOP Main Event, the podcast interviews the player and one of his stakers, professional Derek Wolters.
Balsiger revealed that back then the 21 year old was living on a couch in shared accommodation just south of Vegas. Looking to crowd fund his buy-in, he traded off percentages of any potential winnings to secure his place at the table.
Once in, Balsiger was progressing well enough that he had become Wolters' last hope after his other investments dropped out. Wolters himself, bust on day one, but still secured $600,000, just $100,000 shy of Balsiger's take, and the biggest payday of Wolters' career.
Now, Wolters stakes more than he plays earning his crust from others, rather than playing at the felt himself. While there might not be anything new in the story, it still gives an insightful look into the practise and you can hear the podcast below.
