PokerStars Welcomes Gavin Griffin & Chad Brown

PokerStars.net, the world’s largest online poker site, announced two additions to Team PokerStars Pro by signing pro poker players Gavin Griffin and Chad Brown. Both players have achieved a great deal of success on the poker circuit, each with an impressive list of accomplishments.

Following his spectacular win at the World Poker Tour Borgata Poker Classic at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Gavin Griffin has become the first player in history to win the coveted ‘Triple Crown’ of poker. With his WPT victory alongside his wins at the PokerStars.com EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo in 2007 and the World Series of Poker in 2004, Griffin is the first player to have claimed a title in each of the world’s three major poker tournaments (EPT, WSOP and WPT).

Gavin first came to poker prominence in 2004 when he became the youngest player ever to win a World Series of Poker bracelet aged 22. He turned pro over four years ago and last year he made four final tables, including 3rd place for $86,685 in the San Diego WSOP Circuit Event in February, but his win at Borgata is his first major since taking down the PokerStars EPT Grand Final.

Gavin’s biggest ever win of $2.4 million at the PokerStars EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo in 2007 came after he qualified for the tournament via a $600 double shoot-out satellite on PokerStars.com.

The 25-year-old American player became a tournament favourite in Monte Carlo after it was revealed that his pink-dyed hair marked his involvement in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer charity after his girlfriend Kristen, 21, suffered from breast cancer a few years earlier. Griffin was sponsored by PokerStars throughout the EPT Grand Final with many professional and amateur players making donations to the charity through the PokerStars.com website.

“This is the team I want to play with,” said Griffin. “Team PokerStars Pro has nine other gold bracelet winners and the best online players in the world. I am proud to be a part of this line up”

EPT Director John Duthie commented, “As the first ever player to win the ‘Triple Crown’ of EPT, WSOP and WPT titles, I’m really looking forward to seeing Gavin defend his PokerStars EPT title against some of the world’s best players in Monte Carlo next week. The PokerStars EPT Grand Final has a deserved reputation as being a showpiece poker tournament and given the high level of advance entries, I am confident this will be the biggest, richest and most competitive poker event ever staged in Europe.”

Born and raised in New York City, Chad Brown headed to Hollywood in the early 90s to pursue an acting career. He managed to find work in film and television, but struggled to find his big break. Luckily for Chad, he was able to supplement his income playing poker at casinos across California.

By 1993, Chad was making a steady income at tournaments and made his first WSOP cash. In 2006, Chad scored big on the WPT, earning over $450,000 for cash finishes in several events. In the same year, he also won over $100,000 for placing in the top 5 at the London leg of the PokerStars European Poker Tour. Chad has also been successful online. In 2006, he won the $5,200 H.O.R.S.E. event in the PokerStars World Championship of Online Poker. The victory was worth $223,150 and validated Chad’s online poker skills.

“I’m ecstatic to be with Team PokerStars Pro,” said Brown. “I am obviously familiar with the team from the tournament circuit and it’s great to be in a Team that includes legends like Daniel Negreanu and Joe Hachem. I am looking forward to winning a few bracelets and contributing to the Team.”

Griffin, known as ‘GavinGriffin’ and Brown, known as ‘ChadBrownPro’ on PokerStars.net, join a PokerStars Pro roster that already includes such big names as Chris Moneymaker, Greg Raymer, Joe Hachem, Barry Greenstein, Isabelle Mercier, Daniel Negreanu, Vanessa Rousso, Bertrand Grospellier, Humberto Brenes and 14 other top pros from around the world.