Ladbrokes Poker Signs Jonathan 'skalie' Kalmar as New Poker Pro before the 2008 WSOP

Ladbrokes Poker signs Jonathan 'skalie' Kalmar, who came 5th in last year's WSOP main event, as their new sponsored pro. skalie, a popular Ladbrokespoker.com regular has just scooped a $79,000 cash in the WPT World Championship in Las Vegas and is looking forward to his new role.

London, UK (PRWeb) April 24, 2008 -- Ladbrokes Poker has revealed its newest pro signing, Jonathan Kalmar. Known as skalie online, Kalmar came fifth in last year's WSOP Main Event, cashing for $1.25m, and was the only Brit to make the final table. The sponsorship deal, which has been on the table since the beginning of 2008, was finally agreed on Tuesday night in Vegas. Jon, however had no time to celebrate as he was playing in the WPT World Championship signing the contract in his break.

skalie said: "I'm thrilled, I can't wait to take up my role of Ladbrokes Poker pro in an official capacity! I'm raring to go. As part of Team Ladbrokes in 2006 I came 82nd in the main event and then finished in 5th last year let's hope I continue to improve upon my performance."

skalie will join a core group of four sponsored players, within a 110 strong Ladbrokes Poker Team (http://www.poker.ladbrokes.com). The team will descend on Las Vegas on July 2nd ready to celebrate at the exclusive Ladbrokespoker.com party held at the Voodoo Lounge on the 3rd July. Ladbrokes Poker is allowing players one day for recovery and has booked everyone to play in the $10,000 main event on day 1C (July 5th).

Edward Ihre, Ladbrokes Poker MD commented: "The signing is a formality really, Ladbrokespoker.com already considers skalie a member of the team and Laddies has been skalie's online home for the past few years. It was only a matter of time before he joined our poker pro stable" He continued: "skalie's multi table expertise in tournaments will be a great asset to our team."

The Ladbrokes Poker contract will see skalie contribute to the site by way of insightful blogs and reports from major poker events worldwide, including this year's WSOP. In addition to this, he will be introducing a poker (http://poker.ladbrokes.com) promotion named after him on the site in the near future. Offline he will be one of our ambassadors and will host some of our key events and head tutorials for some of our more inexperienced players.

Jon 'skalie' Kalmar's 2007/2008 results

21st    23 April    $2,500 WPT World Championship        $79,145

1st    9th April    $2500 WPT World Championship        $25,700

3rd    3rd April    $2500 WPT World Championship        £36,675

4th    18th Nov    £300 GUKPT Blackpool            £4,588

6th    24th Oct    888.com IV Open                $8,000

5th    6th July    38th WSOP 2007                $1,255,069

Notes to editor:

Jon Kalmar's first major cash was on the Ladbrokes Poker cruise in 2006 when he came 3rd winning $170,000. He's been a regular player on Ladbrokespoker.com over the last few years and is a key figure in the Ladbrokes Poker online community. Members of Team Ladbrokes at the WSOP will be able to take advantage of skalie's tournament expertise by signing up for his invaluable tutorial session in the Ladbrokes Poker lounge. Alternatively, keep your eyes peeled for skalie poker action online at Ladbrokespoker.com.

For further information please contact Samantha Alleyne on 07976 180 201 or 0208 515 5440 alternatively email on samantha.alleyne@ladbrokes.co.uk

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