Rumor: David Benyamine Joining PokerStars?

In breaking news David Benyamine is no longer an associate with FullTiltPoker.com. Up until today David Benyamine former French Tennis star, was part of Team Full Tilt Poker’s roster.

This move comes just after the site dropped Clonie Gowen from their roster of players. The members that make up Team Full Tilt is absolutely unbelievable and consists of the likes of Phil Ivey, Patrik Antonius, Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, Jennifer Harman, Mike Matusow and many more.

David Benyamine was one of the reasons that Full Tilt Poker could build a very successful reputation as the place for the high stakes action. He was a mainstay on limits of $200 – $400 and up including $500 – $1,000 which is their biggest Pot Limit and No Limit games. David Benyamine was a major attraction among poker players who logged in to enjoy soaking in and watching the high stakes action.

One has to wonder if Benyamine has quit as apposed to being fired or let go? These are the big questions that will no doubt flood the 2+2 Forum and other blogs worldwide over the next few days Or until one of the two parties offers an official statement.

Many are wondering if Benyamine has either bought into a new poker site and marketing himself as part owner or simply been enticed by PokerStars.com who are currently expanding their high stakes action and team. If he was signed by PokerStars.com, he would still have the freedom to play at FullTiltPoker.com without his “Red Pro Status” and personal Avatar. Which he was doing today, where as playing for Full Tilt Poker does not enable players to play at PokerStars.com.

The other belief is that he was maybe seeking a deal with the fast growing and European focused poker site Betfair.com. Betfair has been increasing their high stake action this past year and bringing on a nose bleed player like David Benyamine would certainly help their cause. For these sites high stakes action is big business as the nosebleed games attract small game players who want to play for low stakes while watching the action of hundreds of thousands of dollars being thrown around!

David Benyamine has had a career year winning a Bracelet at the World Series of Poker in the $10,000 buy-in World Championship of Omaha Hi/Lo 8 or better worth over $500k, while also making two other final tables at the WSOP. This was then followed by a 2nd place finish at an event during the Bellagio Cup IV.

Currently, for 2008 he is among the top money earners on FTP with over $1,500,000 in earnings only behind a very impressive list of players that are: Phil Ivey, Phil “OMGClayAiken” Galfond, Tom “Durrr” Dwan, “trex313” All the while David Benyamine is rumored to only receive 100% rake back and $35/hr to play on the site where as members of Team Full Tilt earns a percentage of total profits that the poker site brings in.