June 27th, 2008
Full Tilt Poker’s Martin Kläser Wins the WSOP $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi/Lo Split 8 or Better Event
Dublin, Ireland
It took Full Tilt Poker’s Martin Kläser less than one year to Learn, Chat, and Play his way from aspiring poker enthusiast to World Series of Poker bracelet winner.
Kläser, a 21-year old native of Cologne, Germany, started his journey toward poker’s ultimate prize in October 2007 after winning Full Tilt Poker’s Million Euro Challenge freeroll in Munich. After winning his live tournament entry online, Kläser bested a field of over 12,000 players and earned the opportunity to play three consecutive heads-up matches against Team Full Tilt’s Chris Ferguson, Gus Hansen, and Howard Lederer. With personal coaching from Team Full Tilt’s Phil Ivey, Jennifer Harman and Erik Seidel, Kläser went on to defeat both Ferguson and Hansen, earning €350,000 that he used to start his professional career.
Since that amazing performance, Kläser has continued to hone his game both online at Full Tilt Poker and at live events around his native Germany before the start of this year’s WSOP. As his performance in Event 43 proves, the work has paid off. 720 players started the $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi/Lo Split 8 or Better tournament and, by the time they reached the final table, Martin had employed an aggressive game plan to climb into third place.
At the final table, Martin continued his aggressive play and, by the time he reached heads-up play, had established a 3:1 chip lead over Casey Kastle. Seeing no reason to slow down, Martin continued to apply pressure on his opponent, winning all but three of the 19 final hands. His play earned him his first career bracelet and more than $216,000 in prize money.
“What Martin has achieved in the last year is extraordinary,” said Team Full Tilt member Howard Lederer. “We could be seeing the birth of a long and successful poker career.”
Kläser is the 10th Full Tilt Poker pro to claim a bracelet during the 2008 WSOP. In total, the more than 100 pros who play for the online poker site now own a combined 92 bracelets, making them the winningest team in poker.
“Team Full Tilt,” is a select group of the world’s finest professional poker players, including Chris Ferguson, Phil Ivey, Howard Lederer, Jennifer Harman, Erick Lindgren, Erik Seidel, Andy Bloch, Phil Gordon, John Juanda, Mike Matusow, Gus Hansen, Allen Cunningham and Patrik Antonius who have collectively won 34 WSOP bracelets. Full Tilt Poker offers players the unique opportunity to Learn, Chat and Play poker with the best poker pros in the game.
About Full Tilt Poker
Full Tilt Poker™ is a virtual poker cardroom service that is not engaged in the business of betting and wagering. It is duly regulated and licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, and in the United Kingdom by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission. “Team Full Tilt,” is a select group of the world’s finest professional poker players, including Chris Ferguson, Phil Ivey, Howard Lederer, Jennifer Harman, Erick Lindgren, Erik Seidel, Andy Bloch, Phil Gordon, John Juanda, Mike Matusow, Gus Hansen, Allen Cunningham and Patrik Antonius. With innovative graphics, superior customer service and a safe, secure interface, the software is geared to enhance and personalize the online poker experience. Adult users of all skill levels can download the software at www.fulltiltpoker.com and can play for fun or for real money where online games of skill are permitted by law.
For more information contact:
Michele Clayborne
EMC-PR
(on behalf of Team Full Tilt)
Email: emc-pr@verizon.net