It's only been a couple of months since we saw Mexican poker superstar Juan Carlos Alvarado stand front and center with Team Mexico at the PokerStars World Cup of Poker V. He's the type of player who always seems to be smiling and he is the kind of guy you just want to hang out with. The only time he seems the least bit dangerous is when he's at the poker table, and even then he almost makes you feel good about giving your chips to him. That's Juan Carlos, the man most people know as J.C.

PokerStars has just announced that J.C. Alvarado is joining its stable of elite poker pros. As a member of Team PokerStars Pro, Alvarado will travel the world hitting up the biggest live events. You will also see him online at PokerStars using the screen name 'JC Alvarado.'

Alvarado was born in Mexico and moved to the United States when he was a child. A movie buff and student of film, Alvarado found a home in California. Right in the middle of the poker games in L.A., Alvarado quickly developed a knack for cards.

In the past few years, he has done very well for himself. In just a few years at the tables, he has won nearly 3/4 of a million bucks in live events, not to mention untold amounts online.

After discovering how much money he could making playing cards, Alvarado pulled up stakes in California and moved to Las Vegas. He now plays poker full time.

Though he has spent most of his life in America and living the American dream, Alvarado still holds a great fondness for Mexico and is happy to represent his country. With the kind of wins he's been putting up in recent years, there is no question he's repping Mexico well. Now he will be doing it with a Team Pro badge on his arm.

Welcome to the Team, J.C.