A Fork in the Road of Life

It has often been said that life is a journey, not a destination. I have always believed this to be true. On this journey, there are many bumps and forks in the road. If we are smart, lucky, or both, we survive the bumps and take the right forks. Hopefully, if we stray too far off the right path, we will find out in time to get back on the right road. What is all of this leading up to? I am about to take a new fork in the road.

I have been a full-time professional poker player and occasional author for 23 years. My last job in the corporate business world ended in 1978, and I have not looked for another one since them. My only other job, which I don't suppose many people would count as a job, was the year I worked as a prop player at Crystal Park Casino in Los Angeles. I guess getting paid to play poker would not be considered "real work" by very many people. I have never been a 9-to-5 guy, which may explain my less than brilliant career in the business world. So, getting back to this fork in the road, what comes next? I have been offered and have accepted a new job in the poker world. I have just embarked upon a major career change as the poker room manager and World Series of Poker tournament director at Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas. Gulp! I hope I have not bitten off more than I can chew, but since I have been accused of having a big mouth on occasion, I believe I can swallow this new assignment, especially since I won't have to work 9 to 5. Come to think of it, my day may start a little later than 9 a.m., but I get the feeling it may last longer than the standard eight hours in a typical work day. So, why disrupt my rather lazy lifestyle to take on all of this responsibility? I love a challenge, and with the help of Benny Behnen, with whom I have had extensive meetings, I think I can get the cardroom moving in a very positive direction. The two of us have put our heads together and have many exciting new promotions planned for the near future. There will be some major changes in next year's World Series, including some additional events, as well as maintaining the current events. Read Card Player to see future ads that will keep you informed as to what is going on.

The idea of taking a crack at running a major poker room has been one of my ambitions for a long time. Now I not only get to do it, I get a chance to make the World Series of Poker bigger and better than ever. This will be a labor of love; besides, I have been told that it will be OK, since Benny plays, to play a few events, too. Wish me luck and good fortune, and I hope to meet all of you at a WSOP final table one day.

Editor's note: Tom McEvoy is the author of Tournament Poker and the co-author with T.J. Cloutier of the Championship series of poker books.