PokerStars signs first Team Pros from India and Japan - Poker News

In just a few weeks, you will see two brand new faces wearing the red spade of Team PokerStars Pro. Today, PokerStars announced it has signed its first Team Pros from India and Japan.

Both legends in the poker world, Aditya Agarwal and Kosei Ichinose bring big reputations and put down red spade stakes in places that have never had a Team Pro. India's Argarwal is an online legend (once known as intervntion). Ichinose was Japan's first Supernova Elite.

"The signing of these Team Pros from India and Japan is an important step in helping promote the game in countries where poker is only just coming to the fore," said Kirsty Thompson, PokerStars' Head of Pro & Celebrity Management. "Both players are highly respected within the poker sphere, and their success and passion for the game will no doubt spread throughout their local and national communities."

Ichinose is an online legend with big results all across the PokerStars landscape.

"I'm proud to be associated with PokerStars as I have achieved so much in the game by playing on the site," he said. "I now look forward to helping spread the popularity of poker in Asia and representing the brand at major international tournaments like the upcoming Aussie Millions later this month."
Agarwal has already made a name for himself both live and online with big cashes at the WSOP and on the EPT.

"I've been playing at PokerStars since 2004, so this is a dream come true for me," Agarwal said. "As a poker ambassador I want to help promote the game in India, and inspire more players to play and enjoy the sport."
If you're looking to take your first shot at either pro, you will find them both at the Aussie Millions January 25-February 1.

In the meantime, since Agarwal comes from the cricket country, the folks at PokerStars spent some time seeing how poker and cricket match up. You can have a look at that below.

Congrats to both Agarwal and Ichinose. Welcome to the Team!

Congrats Adi and Kosei

http://www.pokerstarsblog.com/en/blo...n-153144.shtml

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01-06-2015 , 01:55 PM

Wilbury Twist

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Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 6,153

Fans of PokerRoad Radio know that somewhere, Shronk is dropping Thomas Walhroos saying "the Asians."

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01-06-2015 , 01:56 PM

Mubsy Bogues

banned

Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 1,265

Google tells me Aditya Agarwal is the VP Engineering of Dropbox. I assume he didn't sign with Stars, so who is this guy? What are his qualifications?

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01-06-2015 , 01:59 PM

anuj22

veteran

Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 2,171

India + Poker = "Intervntion"

Was ranked 9th all time high in 2010

http://www.pokerstars.com/team-poker...ditya-agarwal/

http://www.pocketfives.com/profiles/intervention/

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01-06-2015 , 01:59 PM

Wilbury Twist

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Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 6,153

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mubsy Bogues

Google tells me Aditya Agarwal is the VP Engineering of Dropbox. I assume he didn't sign with Stars, so who is this guy? What are his qualifications?

I'll let someone else run down the online results for Intervention, but here are his live tourney results: http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=72291

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01-06-2015 , 03:17 PM

lavert

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Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 601

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01-06-2015 , 04:22 PM

Sect7G

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Both seem like excellent signings. The CEO of Amaya was very high on Asia and I certainly agree with him that the potential is there.

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01-06-2015 , 04:44 PM

AllBlackDan

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Get Sachin Tendulkar in there asap

Watch the rupees fly...

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01-06-2015 , 04:57 PM

Makemestronger.

newbie

Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 39

OMFG THIS IS BAD NEWS
Thousands of Indian microstakes rakeback grinder incoming. AMAYA TRUELY TRYING TO KILL POKER

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01-06-2015 , 06:17 PM

#10

Masakik

journeyman

Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 359

Long Live the Japanese Empire!

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01-06-2015 , 06:19 PM

#11

sofired

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Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 289

Very shocked a cricketer wasnt top of their list.

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01-06-2015 , 07:36 PM

#12

Sect7G

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Makemestronger.

OMFG THIS IS BAD NEWS
Thousands of Indian microstakes rakeback grinder incoming. AMAYA TRUELY TRYING TO KILL POKER

This is a ridiculous attitude to have. Would you rather Amaya raise revenues by having more players to the player pool (even if they are dedicated/good) or would you like your VIP benefits slashed? You really can't have both.

I think it's awesome that more players are coming to the game. I don't care what Country they're from.

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01-06-2015 , 08:07 PM

#13

GazzyB123

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Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 5,968

^ I think he was joking

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01-07-2015 , 01:42 AM

#14

H0LDiT

aka plzjustHOLD

Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,809

Lol think so too

Great signing by stars

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01-07-2015 , 01:53 AM

#15

SwoopAE

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Pretty sure they already have Nkeyno from Japan but yeah good signings, the more we can target the India/China/Japan markets the better

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01-07-2015 , 02:00 AM

#16

6471849653

old hand

Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,634

Thousands? Could be millions. Just dont understand how it is legally possible but at a few small states in india until it is segregated.

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01-07-2015 , 02:12 AM

#17

scroosko

adept

Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,176

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6471849653

Thousands? Could be millions. Just dont understand how it is legally possible but at a few small states in india until it is segregated.

indians dont just live in india

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01-07-2015 , 02:15 AM

#18

Rusemandingo

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Quote:

Originally Posted by SwoopAE

Pretty sure they already have Nkeyno from Japan but yeah good signings, the more we can target the India/China/Japan markets the better

Yeah not first Japanese pro.

Inida and chinese market def huge.

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01-07-2015 , 02:51 AM

#19

pipi486

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Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 408

indian grinders are coming!!!!!

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01-07-2015 , 03:18 AM

#20

6471849653

old hand

Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,634

Quote:

Originally Posted by scroosko

indians dont just live in india

What that has to do w india?

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01-07-2015 , 05:23 AM

#21

NerdSuperfly

veteran

Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 2,172

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwoopAE

Pretty sure they already have Nkeyno from Japan but yeah good signings, the more we can target the India/China/Japan markets the better

not really that big of a difference, but Nkeyno is team online

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01-07-2015 , 05:39 PM

#22

BrookTrout

old hand

Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,808

If they want to increase the Indian market share, Pokerstars should look into bankrolling a bollywood movie about poker. Throw some cash around and get some superstars in it. Call it Raja Rounders and watch the signups roll in.

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01-07-2015 , 06:25 PM

#23

MastaAces

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Quote:

Originally Posted by scroosko

indians dont just live in india

that's right! in the us there are several indian run casinos for example.

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01-07-2015 , 06:33 PM

#24

SSKS

old hand

Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,468

shinbunshi (the japanese dude) accused bryn kenney's gf account on being bryn himself in the final table of a SCOOP turbo.

was like 1 or 2 years ago where they scored big.

1k turbo