Every now and then, a poker player emerges on the tournament scene with star quality so clearly apparent that it becomes only a matter of time before they find a PokerStars patch on their sleeve. Such was the case in December 2017, when Kalidou Sow led, and then won, the PokerStars Championship Prague Main Event, earning €675,000 for his efforts. But that was only the start.
Today, Sow’s journey took another significant — and somehow inevitable — step as he was unveiled as the latest member of Team PokerStars. Between then and now, he’s won another major title on the PokerStars circuit, he’s led Team France to the PokerStars Players Championship (the biggest €25,000 buy-in tournament ever played), and he’s become a fixture on the international circuit while rubbing shoulders with the best in the world.
Sow will wear the patch for the first time in Monte Carlo
“To become an ambassador for PokerStars, it’s a dream for me,” the 38-year-old from Paris, France, said. “Amazing, amazing.”
As he joined a roster that includes the all-time great Daniel Negreanu, as well as the champion of the PSPC, Ramon Colillas, Sow added: “My competitiveness has always pushed me to look for opportunities. 2018 was a great year and I am looking forward to what 2019 brings wearing the PokerStars patch.”
Sow will continue to play online at PokerStars (he’s “KalidouSow” on PokerStars.com and “Kalsow1” on PokerStars.fr) as well as at live events across the world, including a new series of PokerStars-sponsored live events throughout France where he will compete and socialise with fans and players.
MORE ABOUT KALIDOU SOW:
CAREER TIMELINE AND QUOTES | PRAGUE CHAMPION | PSF LONDON WINNER
Despite only taking up poker recreationally in his early 30s, Sow offered further proof that the game can offer a hasty route to wish fulfillment. He won a Platinum Pass to the PSPC after taking down the PokerStars Festival London in January 2018, his second major title in consecutive months, and sat down to play in the Bahamas for a $26 million prize pool.
“Absolutely love the addition of Kalidou Sow to the team,” said Negreanu, Sow’s new teammate. “His backstory captivated me when he won his Platinum Pass after winning back-to-back events. His life story is very inspiring and he is easy to root for. I’m a fan!”
Eric Hollreiser, PokerStars Director of Poker Marketing, followed up saying: “Kalidou embodies what the game is all about with his friendly, approachable demeanour, his thoughtful interaction with his opponents at the poker table, and a level of cool you don’t see every day. The buzz around him continued long after his initial Platinum Pass win and we’re excited to see where his journey will take him as we welcome him as an ambassador for PokerStars.”
Sow will wear a PokerStars patch for the first time at EPT Monte Carlo at the end of this month.