David Kaye: Why I Gave Up My Office Job To Pursue Poker Full-Time

Can you rephrase this statement?

If you have an interest in the gambling industry, chances are you’re familiar with the term “professional poker player.” However, if someone were to mention that they are a “poker content creator,” you might react with skepticism, thinking they just invented the title.

I’m starting to recognize this appearance more and more.

After completing my college education in 2014, I have been employed in conventional corporate positions. In a regular week, I would commute to an office, or during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, work from my home office. I would start my workday by logging onto my computer promptly at 8 a.m., and conclude my tasks around 5 p.m.

However, as of September 2, 2021, I have chosen to resign from my present job in order to fully dedicate myself to becoming a full-time poker content creator in the thriving online poker industry of Michigan.

A ‘poker content creator’ isn’t as strange as it sounds

Let’s revisit the dilemma of being a “poker content creator.” To put it simply, a poker content creator produces media centered around poker for others to enjoy. In my case, I operate a Twitch channel where I livestream my poker games, allowing viewers to watch me play and engage in conversation through the chat feature. This livestream has a 5-minute delay for added security.

In addition to running a YouTube channel where I share my gameplay vlogs (typically lasting 10-12 minutes) and other poker-related videos, I can now include blogging in my repertoire, courtesy of Playinmichigan.

Undoubtedly, embarking on a significant professional career change is not a sudden transformation. It traces back to the moment in July 2020 when I made the decision to begin generating content.

During that period, a few months had passed since the pandemic began. Michigan was experiencing the peak of its lockdown measures, resulting in the closure of all casinos, thus denying us the opportunity to indulge in poker games.

Online poker became my new favorite hobby, allowing me to indulge in a preferred pastime when other activities were unavailable to me.

COVID-19 pandemic creates live poker gap

In the past, I used to engage in online poker games, but lately, I have primarily been playing poker in physical casinos. While I was content to be back playing poker, I couldn’t help but long for the lively interaction that comes with live poker.

One aspect that has always brought me pleasure while playing poker in a casino is the presence of the individuals seated around the table. Within a poker game, you encounter a diverse array of individuals hailing from various backgrounds and leading different lifestyles.

Nowhere else will you and the eight individuals you’re currently seated with have the opportunity to gather and socialize, except for around a poker table. This unique setting fosters engaging and enlightening conversations – while sharing a mutual interest in poker, each person brings their distinct life experiences to the table.

In an attempt to recreate the exhilarating experience of live poker, I sought to infuse it into my online gameplay. Having previously enjoyed watching poker live streams on Twitch, I made the decision to give it a try myself.

It can be challenging to attract an audience in the beginning stages. During my initial five months of streaming, I typically had less than four viewers at a time. While this might have been disheartening for some, I found immense joy in the process. I genuinely enjoyed the streams and constantly brainstormed ways to expand my audience. One of the strategies I came up with was regularly uploading vlogs on YouTube, and it turned out to be one of the most impactful choices I made for my poker channels.

By January 2021, I had begun cultivating my YouTube channel, and gradually, my viewership began migrating over to Twitch. Consequently, my Twitch channel consistently maintained an average of nine concurrent viewers.

Afterward, PokerStars made its debut in Michigan.

Michigan online poker open doors for new content creators

The introduction of a regulated online poker market in Michigan sparked enthusiasm among many residents, reigniting their interest in playing poker online. This presented an excellent opportunity for me, as it also meant a surge in demand for poker-related content, particularly from fellow Michiganders seeking content from their own state.

In February, the average concurrent viewers on my Twitch stream increased to 47. However, in June, I experienced the highest monthly concurrent viewership with an average of 117 viewers.

As the growth progressed, I recognized a potential not just in the games but also in my content. It became clear to me that to increase my chances of achieving my channel goals, I needed to fully commit and dedicate myself to this new passion project. Despite feeling nervous, my excitement far outweighed any apprehension.

After dedicating myself to poker content creation full-time for about three months now, I can confidently say that I am thrilled to be taking this path. The combination of my passion for poker and my enjoyment in creating content for others to appreciate makes this endeavor incredibly fulfilling. Even though the possibility of turning this into a long-term career may be slim, I am determined to give it my all and seize this opportunity.

Despite the initial success of the first three months, I am aware that there will be challenging times ahead in my journey. I may even find myself doubting my choice to pursue my professional aspirations. However, I sincerely hope that during those moments, I can hold on to the passion I have for what I do and the immense support I have received from numerous individuals within the community.

David’s poker journey can be tracked through his social media accounts using the handle “DavidKayePoker”. He can be found on various platforms such as YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, and Instagram.

Can you please rephrase that sentence for me?