Ike Haxton Leaves partypoker as They Scale Back Sponsored Pros Partnerships

2 years ago
Ike Haxton Leaves partypoker as They Scale Back Sponsored Pros Partnerships
09:42
07 Jan

As 2021 came to a close, so did Isaac “Ike” Haxton’s time as an ambassador for partypoker. The split seems to be an amicable one, as was the case a few years ago when many PokerStars pros were leaving the platform. The 36-year-old tweeted about his departure on December 31st.

“My time with partypoker is over,” Haxton said. “It’s been a fun four years, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with them. I wish them all the best going forward.”
partypoker replied, thanking Haxton for his time with the company and wishing him all the best going forward.


It seems as if adjusting the roster is something poker platforms do yearly. Last year, partypoker went its separate ways with seven different ambassadors, effectively cutting the roster in half. Those who left were Roberto Romanello, Ludovic Geilich, Renato Nomura, Richard Dubini, Josip Simunic and Philip Gruissem.

With Haxton gone, there are six remaining partypoker ambassadors, including Kevin Hart, John Duthie, Nikita Bodyakovskiy, JoĂŁo SimĂŁo, Patrick Leonard and Carl Froch. Haxton was also the last American poker pro left as an ambassador.

Although Kevin Hart is an American, his position as an internationally known stand-up comedian and actor allows him to promote the game in different ways than traditional poker professionals. With Haxton’s departure and the lack of American professionals on the ambassador roster, one must question why.

Because partypoker is only operating in a few states like New Jersey, Michigan and Pennsylvania, the question becomes whether or not one can be an ambassador for a platform that only a small percentage of their audience can play on.

Perhaps the very slow process of legalization across the rest of the United States made Haxton realize his time would be better spent elsewhere. As mentioned before, just a few years ago two of the most popular poker streamers in the world, Jeff Gross and Jamie Staples, left PokerStars within 24 hours of each other.

Many questions were raised as to the reason of this apparent mass migration from one of the most popular poker platforms in the world. Some pointed to the strict rules the site has in place for its streamers, such as only being allowed to play PokerStars tournaments on stream or not being allowed to criticize the site.

Whatever the case may be for Haxton and partypoker, he will undoubtedly find a home somewhere else like he did when he went from PokerStars to partypoker four years ago. Perhaps Haxton chooses to stay independent for the time being and try building and maintaining his own brand.

In an era of massive YouTube channels and podcast with lucrative sponsorships, perhaps building his own brand is something he would excel at. He is already well-known in the poker world which could make the transition that much easier.

Despite our speculations, Haxton already knows what he wants to do. Stay tuned to find out where Haxton’s future takes him.


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Nikk from Western New York is a part-time journalist, a successful tournament poker player, and an avid fly fisherman.Read more

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