LONDON, September 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading online poker site, Ultimatebet.com, has expanded its team of poker professionals with the signing of one of the hottest new talents on the international poker circuit.

Johan Storakers, 35, has risen from the poker explosion in his native Sweden to become one of the new breed of professionals currently transforming the global poker scene. From humble beginnings just outside Stockholm, Storakers undertook national military service before entering jobs in telemarketing and retail. However, poker had become an increasingly large part of his life and he soon took up the game professionally with spectacular results.

With over US$1.37million in career earnings, 41 cash finishes and more than a dozen final table appearances in World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour events, Storakers is now set to take the next step in his poker career by joining Team Ultimate Bet. There he will find himself playing alongside the likes of ten time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth, one of the world's best female poker players in Annie Duke, and Antonio "The Magician" Esfandiari.

Johan Storakers said: "Being asked to join the team of poker professionals at UltimateBet is a huge honour for me. Playing alongside legends such as Phil Hellmuth can only improve my game and take me forward to a first World Series of Poker bracelet."

Chris Welch, Managing Director of Loudvision, UltimateBet's marketing agency, said: "Ultimatebet.com has already built a strong following amongst professional poker players for its excellent software and wide variety of games. Our goal through signing such an outstanding European talent as Johan is to build awareness of and interest in Ultimatebet.com from more recreational players. This signing is part of our plans to launch the Ultimatebet.com brand into key European markets and build on our 2.5million player base."

The addition of Johan Storakers to Team UltimateBet comes ahead of the 2006 UltimateBet.com Aruba Classic which takes place in the Caribbean paradise of Aruba from 23rd September to 1st October. Now in its fifth year, the event will see the winner walk away with over US$1million.

About UltimateBet

Designed with the assistance of the best poker players in the world, Phil Hellmuth, Annie Duke, and Antonio Esfandiari, UltimateBet provides the best poker games available on the Net. Players can download the free poker software, play in free ring games and tournaments and get tips from these pros to learn the sport or to enhance their playing strategy. UltimateBet is a member of the poker network licensing their poker product from Game Theory Ltd., a subsidiary of Excapsa Software Inc., with over 2 million registered players.

For further information please contact: Jason Lees, Lexis Public Relations, Tel: +44-(0)-207-908-6522, Email: jlees@lexispr.com