PokerPlayer columnist John Tabatabai has become the latest rising young poker star to join Betfair’s elite team of talent. The 23 year old takes his place alongside Sorel Mizzi and Annette Obrestad as Team Betfair continues to build a roster capable of beating the very best in the world.

Originally from Cardiff but now living in London, Tabatabai’s passion before Poker was Chess and he even played in European and World Championships.

He later turned to poker whilst at University and used the skills he picked up on the chess board to enhance his poker play. He first hit the headlines when taking Betfair pro Annette right to the wire at the 2007 WSOPE and has since proved himself by winning the All Africa Poker Tournament.

Tabatabai has now been playing poker for nearly five years and can regularly be found dominating cash tables in casinos around the world as well as on Betfair Poker. Director of Poker, Bruce Stubbs, sat next to John on day one at World Series Of Poker Europe 2007 and had this to say:

"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!"