PokerStars sponsors Brazilian Series of Poker
First tournament in series will begin on 26 July in Sao Paulo.
PokerStars has been named as the new sponsor of the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP), the operator has announced.
The eight-event tour was previously sponsored by Full Tilt Poker before the company ceased activity last year, but now joins country-specific tours such as the UK & Ireland Poker Tour on PokerStars’ portfolio.
PokerStars has held events in Brazil before, with the three-event Brasil Poker Tour and events in seasons three and four of the Latin American Poker Tour (LAPT) taking place in the country.
This year’s BSOP begins on 26 July at Sao Paulo’s Holiday Inn Parque Anhembi and finishes in the same city in December, stopping off at six cities in total.
BSOP chief executive Igor Trafane says the tour will boost Brazilian poker by “[Increasing] the technical level of the circuit, with more Brazilian players and possibly foreign players.”
World Series of Poker bracelet winner Andre Akkari is currently PokerStars’ only sponsored player from Brazil, and one of three from South America alongside Argentinians Leo Fernandez and Jose ‘Nacho’ Barbero.
Akkari described the announcement as “incredible news,” saying “It will be great to travel all over Brazil playing in the outstanding BSOP circuit. This is a truly unique opportunity to see the growing poker scene all over the country.”