From Accountant to Poker Pro: A Journey to Las Vegas

The author flew to Las Vegas on May 10, 2001, with two suitcases of clothes, a bag with four business suits, another bag with various items, and a check for the rest of his belongings.

The author worked as an accountant at IBT bank in Boston from 1995 to 2000. He refused to sign a paper stating he would not try to hire colleagues if he left the bank, ending his career at IBT. This decision left him without a job and with no clear direction for his future. He spent the next year living off his savings and exploring different opportunities.

The author participated in the Foxwoods Chess Open tournament in April 2001. During this tournament, he decided to try his hand at poker for the first time. He first played poker in a casino on April 14, 2001, during the Foxwoods Chess Open tournament. The author moved to Las Vegas in May 2001 with the intention of becoming a professional poker player.