In this ChiefsClash episode we are hosting a few remarkable Poker legends. With us are Andreja Svensek, Gaming and Marketing Specialist, Gregory Gorelik as an Entrepreneur, Stefan Kovach, Strategic Growth and Disruptive Tech Advisor and Chris Straghalis, the Director of Online Poker Experience at PokerStars.
What was your initial “gut-feeling” when you were offered to work within the poker industry?
Andreja: For me it was a no-no. I spent a lot of time with friends from poker and I was like I'm not gonna get into it. But life happened in a way that I started working in a casino and helping friends opening up legal clubs and games. Once I got into PokerStars it gradually got me more professional and I started doing marketing stuff on the side and poker schools as well. The interests shift by the time, not only about the gambling or the community but it gets interesting to know how the money flows, how to keep the community in place and I got curious.
Stefan: This was kind of 2006/2007 so, the early days until the internet boom around poker and I didn't really know what I was laying myself in. It was a very colorful period for the industry and when I kind of got into it I was just intrigued because everybody knows poker whether they're players or not, it has a lot of history to it and a lot of connotations. At the time I was kind of a marketeer as my trade for first part of my career, I just saw the opportunity to kind of help expand this wave and help kind of bring in new audiences and take it on a global journey. We certainly played our part of PokerStars in helping do that and yes it was mainly the opportunity I think.
Gregory: For me I got into the industry at 2007/2008 to a friend so we launched our first company together it was not very exciting but at the same time not something that I was really sharing with a lot of people. At the time there was still quite a bit of a taboo around gaming and I was still in university back then so that was my cover I was studying and I wouldn't tell my parents about it. Later on, you could see that everything became so serious and this company started getting benefits, but back then it was really the wild west and it wasn't something that you would necessarily talk and brag about. It got better once I started looking for PokerStars and the live streams came on so my parents actually saw what was happening and approved.
Chris: When I first got the knowledge of the role I was working in the tech/computer industry for about 10-15 years. I've always been a technologist and then Dan Goldman, I knew him through poker, he said there's this company you might want to interview for. It was very much a startup phase and I was employee number 41 when I got hired so very much in the early stage. I did everything and went through this really grueling four-month interview process. I was excited at first and then as it kept dragging on and on, I was like "oh my God" am I ever I need to get this job. There was an incredible excitement, since I actually get to do something I love - poker and I get to combine that with technology so for me it was it an amazing moment and as you can see being still here 20 years later don't don't regret a minute of it.
2. My lucky pocket cards combo is ...
Shahar: My lucky pocket cards combo is 3-7 as it’s the worst pair, yet also my brother’s Bday; in my family, whoever can win such a hand is a hero.
Chris: My lucky pocket cards combo is the 5 of diamonds and 4 of spades. It’s been a real Moneymaker for me, since I wouldn’t have a career if Chris hasn’t won the WSOP main with it.
Andreja: My lucky pocket cards combo are Pocket Queens, because 2 queens are always better than one.
Stefan: My lucky pocket cards combo is Fish Hooks (JJ): I always seem to get lucky with them. Unfortunately, I get them as regularly as I manage to catch a fish when I’m out fishing (not very often!).
Gregory: My lucky pocket cards combo is 3,8- I accidently called 2 all ins in a big live tournament. Managed to suck out- become chiplead and later win the entire thing.
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