partypoker added another legend to its ranks of sponsored players and ambassador. Bruno Fitoussi, one of the Godfathers of French poker, was announced as the newest ambassador for partypoker LIVE. With over 30 years of international gaming experience, the former consultant for the Aviation Club in Paris seems like the perfect fit to play the role of ambassador. Fitoussi is coming off a strong summer when he made 2 final tables at the 2018 WSOP including a runner-up finish in $1,500 PLO8.
How about another huge score for partypoker? The online poker giant has recently been crushing the live scene with partypoker LIVE events. It has the sentiments of the original EPT, but with a lot more emphasis on the players and grinders. While partypoker has been strengthening their brand in the live arena, they have been aggressively adding to their growing roster of sponsored pros and ambassadors. In an era when the industry trend has been to shy away from the traditional "sponsored pro", partypoker has been embracing the concept. In a short time, partypoker has amassed a stable of old school and new school pros, which included online grinders, high-stakes sharks, and genuine ambassadors to the game.
You can add Bruno Fitoussi to the list of partypoker's stellar roster. partypoker summed the move up best, "International poker star to bring wealth of industry experience to role of ambassador." Hey, if Fitoussi wasn't French, he'd already be in the Poker Hall of Fame. The four-time nominee has missed the cut, but it's only a matter of time before he locks up his seat in the HOF.
The French pro, known as 'King' to his peers brings three decades of gaming experience. Fitoussi has been a familiar face on the international circuit for over 20 years. Fitoussi has been a trusted consultant for the historic Aviation Club in Paris. Fitoussi has also been a well-known commentator, covering various tournaments and events during the rise of televised poker in Europe.
Fitoussi explained, "I am thrilled to join the partypoker LIVE team – partypoker has always held a special place in my heart, so to be working with them is a great privilege for me. I have a vast wealth of industry experience that I am excited to share, and I look forward to getting involved with all aspects of the business."
Fitoussi's first event wearing a partypoker patch will be the MILLIONS UK. Fitoussi said, "I can't wait to come back to Nottingham to Dusk Till Dawn for MILLIONS UK, and the Caribbean Poker Party in The Bahamas is a 'must do' for any poker player. To end 2018, I will head to Deauville for the WPT Deepstacks in December [3-9 December]."
Bruno Fitoussi is one of the nicest guys in poker even though he looks like an intimidating figure. Fitoussi could have walked out of central casting for a "European gangster" film. Or he could play one of bad spies from a Jason Bourne film.
According to Hendon Mob, Fitoussi slipped to 11th on the all-time French money list. Fitoussi only has $3 million in career earnings because he doesn't play a huge number of tournaments. Besides, he's one of those cash game gurus who flies under the radar. Overall, Fitoussi amassed an unknown amount in cash game scores over his illustrious career.
Fitoussi banked $150,990 for a runner-up finish at the $1,500 PLO8 event. ###NOTREPLACE2### Daniel Negreanu bubbled the final table that also included Mike Matusow and Eli Elezra.
Fitoussi's biggest score to date, and possibly his single-greatest performance, occurred at the 2007 WSOP. The $50,000 buy-in HORSE Championship was still in its infancy. Fitoussi busted in second place, but earned a consolation prize worth $1,278,720. Fitoussi lost heads-up to Freddy Deeb. That sick final table also included Thor Hansen, Barry Greenstein, David Singer, Kenny Tran, Amnon Filippi, and John Hanson. Actor Gabe Kaplan from Welcome Back, Kotter fame bubbled the final table in ninth place.
Fitoussi first made a name for himself before the poker boom, when the young Frenchman edged out Amarillo Slim at the World Heads-up Championship in 2001. Fitoussi also went deep in the 2003 WSOP, yeah the year Moneymaker won, but his magical run ended in 15th place... just a few spots short of that historic final table.
According to a press release from partypoker, "French born Bruno ‘King' Fitoussi, brings over 30 years' experience to the newly created role and will join ElkY (Bertrand Grospellier) on the European team of ambassadors. Fitoussi will be using his vast experience of the industry to share player feedback directly with the partypoker LIVE team to help shape the schedules and products for partypoker in Europe."
Good quickie interview with Remko and Bruno from 2015...
