John Tabatabai On Poker Chess

Poker Anorak / Editor / 21 May 2008 / Leave a Comment

GREAT days at Betfair where the Poker Army is growing in ranks.

Having passed the initiation - an hour say in dark room listening to Phil Hellmuth on loop, followed by cheese nad nibbles - John Tabatabai joins Sorel Mizzi and Annette Obrestad on Team Betfair.

Tabatabai, now in possession of the official Team Betfair rosette and claxon, was born in Cardiff but now lives in London.

Before turning to poker, Tabatabai played chess, including appearances at European and World Championships.

The talk is that the skills he picked up on the chess circuit have enhanced his poker play. How is not said. Perhaps chess trained him to remain awake for prolonged periods while sat on a rickety wooden chair?

Tabatabai, of course, rose to poker prominence at the 2007 WSOPE.

Says Betfair's Director of Poker, Bruce Stubbs:

"John is a very aggressive poker strategist, who also is an absolute class act at the table which is very refreshing to see. Although he came just short in the 2007 WSOPE, he managed to win in South Africa to prove he has what it takes. Like our other young guns John is making things happen right now, and we expect big things from him!"

John Tabatabai will be playing with Betfair at the WSOP Las Vegas.

We wish him well...