PokerStars Signs Indian And Japanese Players Highlighting Shifting Priorities

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Thursday, January 8th, 2015 | Written by Stephen Smith

At a time when Pokerstars has been reducing the number of sponsored pros on its roster, the world’s largest online poker room has highlighted its changing priorities after signing two new pros from markets where the popularity of the game is still in its infancy, namely India and Japan. As a result Aditya Agarwal has become the site’s very first Indian Team Pro, and Kosei Ichinose its first member of Japanese Team Pro, and commenting on the new signings, PokerStars’ Head of Pro & Celebrity Management, Kristy Thompson, said:

“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. 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.”

Aditya Agarwal

If ever there was a role model for budding poker enthusiasts in India to emulate its Aditya Agarwal. Born in India, Agarwal learnt the game whilst studying marketing and engineering at an American University, and by the time he completed his graduation he had already become a professional poker player. Today, Agarwal has earned $394,509 on the live tournament circuit, but online his results are even more impressive having amassed an incredible $4,204,024 playing under the screen name ‘Intervention’. The pro will now play at PokerStars under his own name, and commenting on what the deal means to him, said:

“I’ve been playing at PokerStars since 2004 (+$2,515,772), so this is a dream come true for me. As a poker ambassador I want to help promote the game in India, and inspire more players to play and enjoy the sport.”

Poker As A Sport

Aditya Agarwal’s last comment about poker being a sport seems to have been made in coordination with PokerStars marketing department, which cognizant of the importance cricket plays in the country of 1.252 billion people was keen to highlight the similarities between the two games. Consequently, PokerStars also took the opportunity to release an imaginative illustration describing a number of similarities between poker and cricket, including income opportunities, travel requirements, and the need to carefully study the nature and reactions of an opponent. The piece finally concludes with “in cricket, poker and anything you love in life, training is key if you want to be the best. Aim high and don’t give up on your dream!”

Kosei Ichinose

Japan’s Kosei Ichinose first developed a love for the game whilst studying English and business in Canada in 2006, and is probably the most familiar player to PokerStars regulars having become his country’s first Supernova Elite player. Over the years, Kosei has earned $2,297,411 playing online tournaments under the screen name ‘Shinbunshi’, with his list of accolades including cashes at WCOOP and SCOOP events. In addition, Kosei has earned a further $305,677 playing on the live tournament circuit, including victories at the Macau Millions ($15,942), APT Cebu ($29,292), APPT Seoul ($46,918), and the Macau Poker Cup ($24,812). Together with Aditya Agarwal, the Japanese pro will now make his first live debut for PokerStars at the Aussie Millions this month, explaining:

“I’m proud to be associated with PokerStars as I have achieved so much in the game by playing on the site. 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.”

More Targeted Approach By PokerStars

Over the last few years, the poker industry has been shedding the number of pros it sponsors as it seeks to streamline its business, with recent departures including Kara Scott from partypoker and cricket legend Shane Warne from 888poker. PokerStars is no different in this regard, and in recent times well known players to not have had their contracts renewed include Humberto Brenes, Joe Cada, Alex Kravchenko, and Marcel Luske, who was unexpectedly dropped despite being the Netherland’s all-time tournament money winner with $4,408,492 in life time earnings. The addition of two new sponsored pros hailing from India and Japan therefore represents a departure from recent trend in the online poker industry and indicates a shifting priority in PokerStars’ marketing efforts..