The Same Thing Only Different

MarkSlatcher

Level 4 : 200/300, 300 ante

With so many events played at the local level, there are few who traverse the country to coordinate and direct tournaments. One of these is Bill Bruce, who took a seat in today's event during Level 3.

Bruce is the Director Of Operations (and sometimes Tournament Director) for Poker Tournament Consultants, which partners with (or has partnered with) the biggest tours in the industry, including the World Series Of Poker Circuit events, World Poker Tour, Hollywood Poker Open, Poker Night in America, and the Card Player Poker Tour, just to name a few. And he's been doing it since the inception of the poker boom.

Bruce began his career in gaming all the way back in 1993, but dedicated his career to the poker industry in the wake of the Moneymaker effect, ultimately assuming his current role in 2008. In an interview with PokerNews' Brett Collson and Donnie Peters in 2014, Bruce explained what's most important for a successful tournament:

"The planning, organizing and coordinating of all the regional events takes up most of my time each day. Then there is also the hiring of the staff for each event, coordinating with the gaming commissions of the different states, marketing meetings, multiple conference calls from the various departments of the various properties, training, auditions, budget planning, etc. The most important part, though, is the little things. The details. The extra mile."

As for his prowess on the felt, Bruce has already increased his chip stack after one level of play. In his latest hand just before the first break of the day, Bruce was in a hand with [Removed:309]. On the turn, the board read . Bruce bet 2,100 and Pearson shoved all-in for 12,000 total. After a think, Bruce let his hand go.