Welcome to Poker Stories: Tobi’s Journey from Customer Service to High-Stakes FL Pro and Black Member, the podcast where we chat with interesting people from the poker world and share their stories, experiences, and insights.
Today, we talk to Tobi aka TheJoker, who has been involved in the poker industry right from the start and one of the first collaborators at pokerstrategy.com. He was a high-stakes Fixed Limit Pro, one of the first renowned Black Members at pokerstrategy.com, and even more importantly, he is most likely the tallest man in the entire poker industry.
“Every black member party was awesome. There’s no better or worse, maybe one party was really bad because of a bad hotel or something like that. But I couldn’t say which one was the best. Pretty much everything was awesome. There’s no special event that stands out.”
Table of Contents
Embark on a nostalgic journey into the embryonic days of online poker, as we unravel the captivating experiences of Tobi, a luminary from the Hamburg office. From the trials of securing a flat to the eccentricities of the office atmosphere, Tobi’s narrative grants us a captivating peek into the genesis of online poker.
About PokerStories. Behind the Scenes
1. Poker’s Incubation
In 2004, Tobi’s journey began during his educational pursuit. Later on, gifted $5, he traversed the realms of online poker, climbing the ranks from play money to high-stakes fixed-limit tables. Fueled by strategy articles, Tobi’s evolution mirrored the dynamic landscape of online poker during its nascent stages.
2. The “deineomi” metamorphosis to “TheJoker”
Initiating his poker journey with the provocative alias “deineomi” (=yourgranny), Tobi transformed into “TheJoker.” This metamorphosis mirrored his progression from a novice to a high-stakes pro.
3. Guarding the Poker Oracle
Tobi, a guardian of poker wisdom, refrained from coaching in public, reserving his insights for private circles. Jonas aka Sheep was his mentor, guiding Tobi’s journey to high-stakes prowess.
4. Flat-Hunting Odyssey
Hamburg’s housing conundrum led Tobi and his colleagues to an unexpected dwelling – the office. A 4 to 6-week quest for accommodation turned the office into a temporary abode, complete with makeshift beds.
5. Tiny Office Chronicles
The Hamburg office, a petite sanctuary with three rooms, hosted the customer service team and IT wizards. With little work in its nascent days, the office echoed with poker games and camaraderie.
6. Office Oasis
Despite its size, the office provided an oasis of perks – free sustenance, relaxed vibes, and poker marathons. Work by day, poker by night, encapsulated the early rhythm of online poker’s Hamburg hub.
7. Customer Service Anecdotes
Navigating the shift from $5 to $50 involved manual transfers, a testament to the hands-on nature of early online poker operations.
8. Commuting Chronicles
Tobi’s daily commute, initially a 15 to 20-minute bike ride, succumbed to the allure of taxis, marking a humorous reflection of the casual ethos defining the Hamburg office’s early days.
9. Gibraltar Glory Days
Tobi’s journey to Gibraltar unfolded as a tale of beachside living, poolside leisure, and the joy of Spanish barbecues. The golden Spanish sun illuminated Tobi’s experiences beyond the virtual poker tables.
10. Culinary Adventures
A Spanish gem named Patagonia in La Linea de la Concepcion, renowned for its succulent steaks, became Tobi’s gastronomic haven. The allure of the beach bar in Alcaidesa added an extra layer to the tale, enhancing the flavour of the Spanish experience.
11. Black Member Revelry
Every Black Member party was an epic saga, weaving tales of joy and camaraderie. Tobi reminisces, unable to pinpoint the best – each celebration was a unique chapter in the annals of poker history.
Learn more about the Black Members:
- Black Member Status: Black Member is the highest and most exclusive status a player can earn on PokerStrategy.com: https://www.pokerstrategy.com/status/black-member/
- Black Member Status: Exclusive Events & Custom-Made Suit: https://www.pokerstrategy.com/news/content/Black-Member-Status:-Exclusive-Events-Custom-Made-Suit-Video-inside_55416/
- First Black Member party of PokerStrategy.com: https://www.pokerstrategy.com/news/world-of-poker/First-Black-Member-party-of-PokerStrategy.com_01035/
- Black Member Party VI – The Video: https://www.pokerstrategy.com/video/3788/
Conclusion
In the tapestry of Tobi’s journey lies the fabric of online poker’s formative years. From office escapades to Spanish escapades, his story stands as a testament to the thrill, unpredictability, and sheer adventure that defined the dawn of online poker. Tobi’s tales are a living testament to the boundless spirit that fueled the rise of a virtual empire.
FAQ
We will take a look at the early days of online poker and the experiences of Tobi, a former employee at the Hamburg office. From the challenges of finding a flat to the unique office environment, Tobi’s journey provides an interesting insight into the world of online poker during its early stages.
How did he get into poker?
Tobi started playing poker during his education in 2004. He played online home games, play money games, and received $5 to start playing. He mainly played fixed limit, as that was the popular format at the time.
He learned how to play through strategy articles and by playing low-stakes or micro-stakes. He eventually moved up the stakes and became a high-stakes fixed-limit pro.
What was his nickname?
Having started with the provocative nickname “deineomi” (=yourgranny), he decided to change his nick. Tobi’s nickname was then “TheJoker”.
Why didn’t he do coaching?
Tobi didn’t do coaching because he didn’t want to give away his knowledge and secrets for free or for a few pennies. He only coached privately for friends, but never in public.
Who was his biggest influence in Poker?
“I just learned from Jonas aka Sheep. Maybe the best fixed limit player ever alive in Germany.. He coached me SO many, SO many sessions and without him, it would not have been possible.”
Finding a Flat?
Tobi and his colleagues faced difficulties in finding a place to live in Hamburg. What was initially expected to take a few days turned into a 4 to 6-week search. As a result, Tobi and his colleagues ended up living in the office temporarily, with mattresses on the floor serving as makeshift beds.
How was the Tiny Office like in Hamburg?
The Hamburg office was a small space consisting of only three rooms. It housed a few customer service representatives and the IT team. In the early days, there was little work to be done, so Tobi and his colleagues spent their time playing poker and waiting for things to happen.
The Office Environment
Despite the limited work, the office provided some perks. Tobi and his colleagues enjoyed free food and drinks, making it unnecessary for them to go grocery shopping or leave the office. The relaxed atmosphere allowed them to work during the day and indulge in poker games in the evenings.
What was his work in customer service consist?
Um, at the beginning it was that customer service plus, um, the starting capital when we switched from the $5 to $50, then it was all manually manual transfers.
Getting to the Hamburg Office
Initially, Tobi would ride his bike to the office, which took about 15 to 20 minutes. However, his laziness soon took over, and he started taking taxis instead. This amusing detail highlights the laid-back nature of the early days at the Hamburg office.
Tobi’s experiences in Gibraltar
Tobi’s experiences in Gibraltar included living near the beach, having a pool, and enjoying an excellent life. He initially lived in Spain, near the border, and later moved to Alcaidesa. He frequently attended barbecues and enjoyed the beach, bars, and good weather in Spain.
What is the most memorable restaurant?
Yeah, this Spanish restaurant called Patagonia served really good steak. We went there a lot. And there was also the beach bar in Alcaidesa, which was only open in the summer. We used to go there daily for steak from the grill and barbecue. It was really nice.
What was the most epic black member party?
“Every black member party was awesome. There’s no better or worse, maybe one party was really bad because of a bad hotel or something like that. But I couldn’t say which one was the best. Pretty much everything was awesome. There’s no special event that I can remember.”
Conclusion – Tobi’s Journey
Tobi’s story offers a glimpse into the early days of online poker and the unique experiences of working at the Hamburg office of pokerstrategy.com. From the challenges of finding a flat to the relaxed office environment, it’s clear that the early stages of online poker were filled with excitement and a sense of adventure.
