Irishman joins Team PokerStars Pro

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Leading Irish poker player Jude Ainsworth has been signed as the latest member of Team PokerStars PRO.

A relative newcomer to the professional poker circuit, Jude, who plays on PokerStars as 'j.thaddeus', has proved his ability to match the best at poker tables over the last year. He will strengthen the expanding Team PokerStars PRO UK and Ireland team.

Jude Ainsworth from Galway, Ireland, achieved his breakthrough live result when he won the Irish Poker Championship in 2008, collecting €145,000. He continued his success this year when he beat 501 other players at the $10,000 Spring Championship of Online Poker Main Event on PokerStars.com and collected $963,338.

Jude will be playing in the new UK & Ireland Poker Tour (UKIPT), which will see him playing on his home turf in Galway from December 11-14, 2009. The events are aimed at both amateurs and professionals and will provide players with a first-class poker experience at an affordable local level.

Jude said: "I'm really looking forward to competing in the UKIPT and being part of such an exciting tour. Undoubtedly the event I'm most looking forward to is the return to my hometown Galway on the 11th December."

Other top names from around the UK and Ireland such as former England footballer Teddy Sheringham and Team PokerStars PRO Vicky Coren will also be competing at the UKIPT events.

After the launch event in Galway, the PokerStars UKIPT will visit Manchester, Nottingham, Killarney, Brighton, Scotland (city TBC) and Dublin with the Grand Final taking place as part of the PokerStars.com EPT London event next October.

Daily satellites are running now on www.pokerstars.com for as little as $0.25 or 250FP.