Peter Eastgate Joins Betfair Poker pro team

02/22/2012 : FORMER WORLD SERIES OF POKER CHAMP JOINS BETFAIR PRO TEAM
 
Young ace seeks a better balance between poker and personal life
 
Back in 2008 his image and thoughts created headlines in poker and even mainstream media when at the tender age of 21 he took down the main event of the World Series of Poker against the best players in the world to win just over $9 million.
 
Then Peter Eastgate (now 24) seemed to fade into obscurity but for a generous auction for charity of his winner's bracelet.
 
The young star was back in the headlines when he retired from poker as a Pokerstars professional late in 2010, only to reappear on the scene again in London after a few months to continue playing, albeit with only limited success – his career earnings at less than $15 000 were less than impressive.
 
This week he was back in the news with a rather long and biographically rambling statement revealing that he has signed with the Betfair Poker pro team.
 
The statement dwells on his inward looking thoughts and the stress of being a poker celebrity in the media spotlight, and the importance to him of family and friends. It covers the reasons for his brief retirement to rediscover himself and work out the road forward, and comes to the conclusion that he loves the game and its competitive element, but needs to balance that against his personal life and priorities.
 
"Having had time to think about my life and future I feel I have figured out how I can combine playing poker with a healthy life outside of poker.  I do not consider this a comeback, as I always knew there was a good chance I would play poker again,” Eastgate says in explaining his decision to sign with Betfair as a member of its pro team.