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January 10, 2005The Next Chapter
Posted By:
 hdouble
"If we don't change direction soon, we'll end up where we're going." (continued from Part 1) I tightened the knot on my tie, using the windshield as a mirror. I couldn't even remember the last time I'd had a face-to-face job interview, and it felt good to be a little nervous. It brought back that sensation I had before the first football game of the season-- as the season wears on, and your body wears out, you lose that nervousness. After the 10th game or so, your body has learned to conserve as much energy as possible, and your nerves reach a level of fatigue where they just don't come alive anymore. But I had a few flutters in my blood, and I took that as a good sign. I always played better when I was a little nervous, and seemed to perform better under pressure. I put my trusty laptop under my arm and walked to the front of the massive office building, wondering how I'd ended up here. A cloud of hair and an air of assurance caught my eye, and I was jolted from my football memories. "Chris-- I'm Henry, we met at the World Series last year," I said to the long haired man. "Hey... nice to see you..." said the man called Jesus, with wizard-like eyes that were usually hidden. "I'm here for an interview..." "Ahh, ok, I'm headed up right now. I'll show you in." A few minutes later I was seated in the office of the head of the software company behind a prominent online poker site, sitting face-to-face with a World Series of Poker champion. I wondered what was going on in his head, and despite his friendliness, couldn't help but think that if I was trying to bluff him out of a pot, those eyes would see right through me. We spoke of the online poker industry, the current poker craze, and of course, poker blogs. He asked for the address of this little poker blog, and I watched him type in the URL. The familiar old banner at the top of the page came up, and Jesus got a tour of the site. I mentioned the popularity of Guinness and Poker, and soon that garish orange template popped up on the huge monitor, lighting up the room. Jesus quickly scrolled down, and stopped scrolling when one of the horrid images (that Iggy graciously shares with us) filled the screen. His poker face didn't crack, but I thought I detected a slight groan coming from the poker superstar. Before I was forced to come up with an explanation, the door opened, and in strode the CEO. I felt like I'd sucked out on the river. The conversation turned to poker on the web and I felt right at home. After two years of reading RGP and thousands of poker blog posts, I was amazed at all of the (seemingly useless) poker knowledge that I'd accumulated. We discussed the future of Full Tilt, the astronomical popularity of poker, and the 2005 World Series of Poker. I had to pinch myself as a reminder that this was a job interview. I was thoroughly impressed with the vision and knowledge of the CEO, and it seemed that Jesus' super-sharp mind absorbed and digested everything I said immediately. Unlike my current job, the people running the company not only listened to what I was saying, but seemed genuinely interested. We finished the interview, and I walked out of the office thinking about how cool it would be to work in poker with a team of super poker minds full time. I felt like I had a lot to offer to their web site, and it seemed like a great opportunity. As I hopped into my car and drove back to work, I silently thanked RDub and Rafe, hoping I could return the favor at some point. Even if nothing came of this, it was a great experience and an inside look at the world that I write about and play in for many of my waking hours.
That night, I felt the stress of an impending decision that would be difficult. As far as "career paths" go (if you believe in that sort of thing), my career had been quickly progressing up the ladder in the medical IT industry, and the future on that path seemed pretty bright. I'd been published in the biggest IT medical journal, and I was just getting started on a big clinical application that was sure to help clinicians do their job more efficiently. One of the reasons I'd always preferred medical IT to say, game development, is that it seemed like it was for a great "cause". If I did get an offer from the online poker site, it would be a complete change of direction career wise. But I thought about the current explosion of poker, and my love for the game, and thought, "How could I turn this job down?" It would be a once in a lifetime chance, and if I succeeded, I could be an integral part of building up this new company full of bright and interesting people. It was just such a great opportunity. With these thoughts going through my head, I tossed and turns for a few nights wondering what the future held. It didn't help that my boss (who has always been extremely generous and supportive in my time at the hospital) offered me a position as a lead developer as we move forward with our healthcare portal after I told her about my interview with the online poker site. Then I heard the ding of the "incoming mail" sound, and as I read the offer it felt a bit like the time my opponent came over the top of my top-pair, top-kicker for all his money in a pot-limit game in the biggest pot I'd ever played. The poker site had put me to the test, and it was time to make a decision. It was a stressful couple of days, and the phrase that kept coming back to me was, "How could I turn down an offer like this?" The opportunity just seemed to good: working with brilliant people in a small company where hard work is well-rewarded... a stark contrast from the non-profit world of the hospital, a world filled with bureacracy and politics where progress goes at a snail's pace. In the end, the opportunity was too good to pass up. So starting on January 31st, I'll be embarking on a new path with the software company behind one of the biggest online poker sites. Without this blog and the support of all you readers out there, I wouldn't have gotten this opportunity, so a big thanks goes out to everybody. I've worked hard on this blog for over a year now, and I guess the hard work has finally paid off. I'm a big believer that hard work will always pay off in one way or another (and it never hurts to have a little luck), and I think this opportunity is in part a product of that hard work. The support and insight of my fellow bloggers and readers has been a huge help in keeping this site alive, and I can't express my gratitude enough for that. Thanks for reading. Posted by hdouble at January 10, 2005 10:09 PM | TrackBack  Maximize your profits: learn how to use the most powerful tool in online poker. Comments
AWESOME!!!!! Congrats hdub, you deserve it. I'm sure it'll be great. Posted by: Chris Halverson at January 10, 2005 10:16 PMWow! Way to go! I hope everything works out better than expected. Posted by: 4Flush at January 10, 2005 10:43 PMHank, you're in the upper echelons of the poker bloggers I respect. Congratulations on getting the gig. My jealousy is surpassed only by my happiness for you. :) Remember to always love the grind! Posted by: StudioGlyphic at January 10, 2005 11:31 PMDude, awesome. This is not only inspiring from the poker-angle, but also underscores the importance blogging has in both the social and corporate contexts. I can only beg that you think about starting a Full Tilt Poker developer's blog - it can't do anything but improve the product. Posted by: Rochioli at January 11, 2005 12:32 AMWow, wow, wow! To get paid to do what to you love...to have it all come together like that - you are truly blessed. Congratulations and best of luck to you - I know you'll do so well. We are all so proud of you. (And insanely jealous) :) Posted by: April at January 11, 2005 12:51 AMYou Da man! Congrats, buddy! Posted by: Decker at January 11, 2005 03:31 AMCongrats, sounds like a dream job :) Posted by: pokerprof at January 11, 2005 04:33 AMHank, To get up each morning and look forward to going to work at a job you truly enjoy is my Holy Grail. Congratulations on earning this opportunity. The blogger world is richer for your contributions. Posted by: BadBlood at January 11, 2005 05:36 AMSeriously congratulations on the new job. I can't begin to tell you how jealous I am. To be able to make your hobby your work is an unbelievable opportunity. Are you going to be doing application development, working on the poker software itself? Or working directly with the Full Tilt website? Posted by: Ryan at January 11, 2005 05:51 AMMany congrats! '05 looks to be the Year of the Poker Blogger! Posted by: HumanHead at January 11, 2005 06:09 AMGreat story and great read. Congratulations! Posted by: Cincy Sean at January 11, 2005 06:57 AMWow, congrats, HDub! Posted by: JD at January 11, 2005 07:11 AMI give up. I officially have no idea what could happen that could top each new opportunity someone in our little circle will get the chance to take advantage of. All I can do is shake my head and say congratulations. I actually really like playing at Full Tilt. All it would take would be a few more players in games other than hold 'em (and some looser ones there) and I'd be a regular. I already play in their tournaments often. And that suggestion about a developer's blog above would be a very good idea. Posted by: Poker Nerd at January 11, 2005 07:15 AMCongrats on the job, that's awesome. (Now if you can just get them to modify their bonus structure they'd have a heck of a lot more players, myself included, sitting at their tables.) Posted by: ScurvyDog at January 11, 2005 07:34 AMDamn, what's next for this blogger community? Iggy as Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tabacco and Firearms? That seems about on par for the way things have been going lately. All I want to say is "Congratulations!" Just by reading your site, I can tell that you deserve this. =) Posted by: Chad at January 11, 2005 07:38 AMWow! Let me be the umpteenth guy to say congrats! Way too cool. How about a poker blogger's 200% bonus there? Run that up the flagpole on Feb 1, would you? Posted by: BG at January 11, 2005 07:48 AMWow! Unbelievable. A job that brings everything together. Maybe you can get some pickup football games going out back. Posted by: DoubleAs at January 11, 2005 08:01 AMman, congratulations, you deserve it. 'jealous' doesn't really begin to describe it. btw, chad, wouldn't alcanthang be the more appropriate choice for director of the atf? (no offense to iggy, of course). Posted by: fhwrdh at January 11, 2005 08:31 AMWell done, well deserved. With all the writers grabbing thier dreams for the past 6 mos, who are we going to read. It will certainly be an interesting year. Well done, well deserved. Posted by: JunctionJoe at January 11, 2005 08:40 AMCould not have happened to a better guy! I know the feeling of being in a secure job that just does not fulfill you the way it used to. I am sure your making the right decision! Have fun and Enjoy! Posted by: SirFWALGMan at January 11, 2005 09:19 AMAll the best and good luck! I've really enjoyed your blog over the past few months I've been reading it. You will not regret the decision... life's about taking chances like this! Posted by: Josh at January 11, 2005 09:36 AMCongratulations HDub. It's been a good time reading your journeys through the world, and I've always appreciated what I've learned. Glad to see you've gotten what you've both deserved and earned. Posted by: Stephen at January 11, 2005 09:44 AMni han! Posted by: ash at January 11, 2005 10:07 AMYeppers, Your pocket AA held up. GH Best to ya as you start the new, new thing. Do you remember what Willy Wonka said to Charly Buckets about the little boy who got everything he ever wanted? "He was very happy!" Feral Posted by: FeralAce at January 11, 2005 12:58 PMDo they have a dental plan? :) Good job, Duuuuuuude! Posted by: Pauly at January 11, 2005 12:59 PMThat's awesome Hank! Congrats, and don't forget who taught you how to play craps over at Sam's Town...Oh wait... Posted by: Bob at January 11, 2005 01:51 PMVery nicely done. Posted by: Daddy at January 11, 2005 02:25 PMWell, since no one else will say it, I'll say it: You suck!!!! Just like Otis sucks!!!! Punks!!! All of ya! ;-) Posted by: CJ at January 11, 2005 02:46 PMFantastic. I may be out to LA in mid-Feb. If so, we'll have to hoist a Guinness together and shoot some fish at HP in celebration of your accomplishment. Posted by: asphnxma at January 11, 2005 02:53 PMAlways nice to get Jesus' blessing! Congratulations! BSN Posted by: BSN at January 11, 2005 04:04 PM4 words... GO FORTH & KICK ARSE Congrats on the new gig. Posted by: Uwannabet? at January 11, 2005 04:41 PMMuch congrats Hank. You'll do very well! Posted by: Sean at January 11, 2005 05:35 PMSweeeeeeeet. :-) Posted by: jasonHoldEm at January 11, 2005 07:15 PMu rule hank! good luck and have fun. it's going to be a great experience. Posted by: Derek at January 11, 2005 08:35 PMSo you've hit one of your outs for the stone cold nuts... Congratulations! Jan "50outs" Posted by: 50outs at January 11, 2005 10:58 PMCongrats Hank that is fantastic. Who knew that your blog would head down this path when I clicked on that link on RGP so many months ago? I hope you can persuade the powers that be that they need to open a "Cincinnati Branch". King Posted by: King at January 12, 2005 12:13 AMI'm in awe. It is a well-deserved job offer and opportunity. Well done Hank, I wish you good luck on your new job :) And I hope you will continue to write here, your strategies and personal writings have helped clear my perspectives as to why I continue to enjoy poker. Posted by: Drizztdj at January 12, 2005 05:28 AMPretty amazing. Congratulations. Posted by: ugarte at January 12, 2005 08:38 AMWow! Congratulations! Does this mean that poker blogging has achieved the status of "Resume Category"? Now we'll list our Job Experience, Education, Skills, and Blogs... Posted by: ToddCommish at January 12, 2005 04:55 PMThe support and insight of my fellow bloggers and readers has been a huge help in keeping this site alive, and I can't express my gratitude enough for that. Thanks for reading. Thanks for writing. And congratulations on an opportunity heartily deserved. Posted by: Jason at January 12, 2005 07:02 PMOtis=trumped. Green with envy, but wild with respect. Well, done, friend. Posted by: Otis at January 12, 2005 08:51 PMCongratulations HDub!!! You're more than ready to step up to the challenge! Glad to hear Jesus & Co. think as highly of your poker knowledge as we all do... -EV Posted by: -EV at January 12, 2005 11:41 PMMajor Congratulations! It seems like now is the best time ever to be a poker player/poker blogger... Good luck! And don't forget us little guys! :) Posted by: Poker Chiq at January 13, 2005 06:56 AMCongrats H! Best of luck to you.......I just hope this doesn't interfere with your blogging! GW Posted by: GW at January 13, 2005 08:21 AMHDub, you rock! Congrats!!!! Posted by: Bill Rini at January 14, 2005 12:25 AMA truly phenominal site! My first visit and great for me to read and read and read. Christ there is a lot of content. Just a novice player myself about two months in. Want so much to learn and there is so much the books dont seem to help me with. I did try to mail you with some thoughts but it was returned undeliverable. Hank - Congratulations! Sounds like it's going to be great... And I was getting ready to suggest that you could come work in our area if the Rochester thing fell through. AC is only 1.5 hours away, and there's always Lewey's home games! hehehe Posted by: EvaCanHang at January 17, 2005 10:17 AMCongrats and good luck!! Can't deny that I envy you.. if you need any help, hehe, let me know :D Posted by: Glenn at January 18, 2005 07:04 PM. Posted by: jaffer at January 21, 2005 06:38 AMoh. my. god. i forget to read your blog for one month and the whole world has changed by the time i catch up. congratulations, man. now you don't have to go pro... you're even better than that... you are the HOUSE!! so now maybe you can get to the bottom of whether online is rigged...! j/k ChezJ Posted by: ChezJ at February 7, 2005 01:39 PMPost a comment
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