Poker pro Cliff Josephy leaves UltimateBet

American poker professional Cliff "JohnnyBax" Josephy has left UltimateBet.com a little more than six months after forming a partnership with the online poker room.

"Just wanted you guys to know that you will no longer see me as a redlined pro in their lobbies, nor will you see me wearing their patches at live events any more," Josephy wrote in a message board post at TwoPlusTwo.com on Saturday.

Josephy, a WSOP Bracelet winner and New York native, joined UB's list of Star Players in late-May and took his place at the online poker room alongside other pros like Shawn Rice, Scott Ian, Mark "P0ker H0" Kroon and Gary "Debo34" DeBernardi. Josephy won his bracelet at the 2005 WSOP, Event #8. His most lucrative win, however, came in September of 2006 at the UltimateBet Aruba Poker Classic, where a second place finish earned him nearly half a million dollars.

"I have always enjoyed playing at UltimateBet," Josephy said on a Poker Fives forum after he signed with the poker site. "The interface and the structure are 2nd to none. It is my belief that management is committed to doing the right things on a going forward basis. Thus, I have decided to support them. I will do all I can to ensure the players really like the improved UB."

Annie Duke, UltimateBet's Cardroom Consultant, praised Josephy when he joined the UltimateBet team.

"A Star Player is one who has an undisputed high level of skill, lots of integrity, and is well respected in the world of online poker," she said. "One look at his impressive record reveals that JohnnyBax epitomizes a Star Player and is the perfect addition to our roster of respected and talented poker players."