Probably the two most important figures of the UB pro team, Phil Hellmuth and Annie Duke have announced that they are to leave the poker room after many-many years of working together.
“Wishing both @annieduke and @phil_hellmuth the best of luck with everything in the future. Pleasure working with both”– said Joe Sebok, dean of Team UB Pro on Twitter.
He then wrote on his blog:
“2010 sees us parting ways with two icons of the poker world, Phil Hellmuth and Annie Duke. These two legends in our industry have, quite literally, helped to build UB into what it is today. Phil and Annie have been the face of the company for years now and we thank them for their unbelievable contributions and bid them the utmost in success moving forward.”
The fact that Hellmuth departed is not fully astonishing, seeing that he has not really been wearing the UB logo nowadays (although he did appear with the UB logo at a charity event on the 18th December).
When questioned about the departure, Duke mentioned personal reasons, and said that it had been a pleasure for her to represent UB, but would like to try herself out in something else.
Although the loss of these two poker players might seem devastating at first glance, as their results are unquestionable, but they have not been very successful nowadays, not to mention their usually hysterical behavior and constant raging.
All in all, I think some ‘fresh blood’ could do good to UB; there are so many talented young poker players waiting to be signed. According to UB, this is exactly what they are planning, and they are about to introduce a new UB Pro this week.
According to Sebok, it will be a blast.
Well, I can hardly wait!