From the Chessboard to the Poker Table – My Road to the King’s Million
Sometimes life takes us to places we never planned to go – and opens new doors along the way. That’s exactly how my journey into poker began.
In the summer of 2025, I traveled to Las Vegas – not for poker, but for chess. I had taught myself the game in just eight months and wanted to compete at the National Open Chess Championships. Chess has always been a challenge I enjoy: it demands strategy, patience, and full concentration – qualities that would later prove even more valuable than I realized at the time.
While in Las Vegas, I happened to cross paths with the World Series of Poker. There I met a professional player, whom I first observed from the sidelines. I watched him win $44,000 in a side event. Just four weeks later, he achieved his breakthrough: from a field of more than 7,000 players, he claimed a WSOP Bracelet and $355,000 in prize money. Shortly after that, he became my coach.
My Training – From Zero to Full Speed
Since then, poker has become a central part of my daily life. Together with my coach, Justin Fawcett, who has over 20 years of experience, I regularly exchange ideas, analyze strategies and situations, and learn from his vast knowledge of the game.
Alongside his guidance, I built my own training routine. After work, I often play online tournaments late into the night, read poker strategy books, watch hours of final table replays, and even simulate live situations with chips to train the physical aspects of the game. In just three months, I have already played over 30 online tournaments and more than 30,000 hands – which means several hours of training almost every single day.
One of my early highlights came in my fourth online MTT: in the “Raabs Pokernacht” qualifier, I finished in the top five percent – 36th out of 735 players. Only the top nine advanced to the live TV final, so I narrowly missed out, but for such an early step it was a big motivation boost.
Soon after, I managed another strong run in a second Raabs Pokernacht, finishing 14th out of around 275 players. In addition, in many smaller online tournaments, I’ve consistently placed in the top 5% to 10%. These results have shown me that my training is paying off and that I am on the right track.
Skills From Other Worlds
I quickly realized that poker brings together many of the skills I’ve developed in different areas of my life:
-
Acting helps me control and channel emotions.
-
Modeling taught me to manage facial expressions.
-
Chess trained me to think strategically and remain patient.
-
And through a several-week online trading course at the New York Institute of Finance, I learned how to manage risk systematically – a skill that is just as crucial at the poker table as it is in the markets.
For me, poker is much more than a game. It’s a mental competition, a balance between intuition, strategy, and discipline.
Next Goal: My First Live Tournament
Now the time has come: in September 2025, I’ll be playing my very first live tournament – and it’s a big one. I’ll take part in the King’s Million at the King’s Resort Rozvadov, one of the largest poker events in Europe.
-
Guaranteed Prize Pool: €1,000,000
-
Participants: Several thousand international players
For me, this is a huge step: not only my first major poker event, but also my very first experience in a live setting, where body language, timing, and table presence play an even greater role than online.
Looking Ahead
Of course, I’m approaching the tournament with respect – I know how strong the field will be, with many professionals and experienced players competing. But that’s exactly what excites me: I want to test myself, gain experience, and give it everything I’ve got.
My goal is clear: to make it into the money and finish as high as possible. At the same time, I’m very aware that it’s my first live event, and I will certainly learn a lot along the way.
For me, the King’s Million 2025 marks the official start of my poker career. I’m really looking forward to holding the cards in my hands for the first time in a live tournament, soaking up the atmosphere – and no matter the result, I know this will be a valuable step forward.
