Hellmuth, Duke part ways with UB.com

[The Buzz]

Early last month The Buzz reported on rumors that were swirling about Phil Hellmuth leaving the online poker room he called home for over a decade, UB.com. Well just before the New Year, those rumors were proven true, along with another major announcement. Annie Duke, the other face of the room, will also be leaving.

From PokerNews:

Many in the poker industry have speculated that Hellmuth was distancing himself from UB after appearing at various poker engagements without the UB logo; however, that rumor seemed to have subsided when Hellmuth appeared at Phil Hellmuth’s Hold’em for HospiceCare in Madison, Wisconsin, on December 18, an event sponsored by UB.net. Nonetheless, both Hellmuth and Duke will now be on the market for any site looking to sign a big name.

That doesn’t mean that UB is going to sit ideally by. (Joe) Sebok also announced that the site will be adding new members in 2011, with the newest addition coming as soon as next week:

“Speaking of Team UB, while it's true that two of our members have moved on, don't think that we aren't restocking the talent. We'll be announcing our newest Team UB member next week and I am crazily pumped about it. UB has, and will continue to have, a whole new look and feel for our team and our newest signing exemplifies that, so stay tuned for that announcement next week. Going to be a bit of a doozy.”

[Anthony]

I am sure we will see shortly where Hellmuth ended up.

[TravG]

To me it also seems Hellmuth may have lost a little of his luster. He just doesn't seem to be as popular as he once was.

[JoeAdams]

Many people saw Pill Hellmuth in various poker events that he's no longer promoting the logo of UB even on her shirts. And about Annie Duke, at first I thought that she's just going back into show business to pursue her acting career but rumors has it that she's about enter into a marriage life.