GPWA Times Magazine - Issue 4 - April 2008

GPWA TIMES | GPWA Affiliate Interview Series 20 You are relatively new to the busi- ness. When did you get started and why? I opened ThePokerkeep in Jan- uary 2007. I wanted to create a por- tal where honesty and integrity took precedence over profit. I was one of many players who lost money to the closure of a site called Pete’s Poker a few years ago. At that time someone from within our industry stepped up and went to bat for us. Many players were even- tually reimbursed as a direct result of this person’s involvement. I was blown away and deeply affected by this person. He inspired me to “pay it forward” by opening a site dedi- cated to the education and protection of the average poker player. In me- dieval times the “keep” was built as a fortress deep inside the castle as a safe haven in times of attack. I view ThePokerkeep as a safe haven within the online poker industry. You got involved in the business shortly after a forum you worked for as a moderator went out of business because of the UIGEA. Considering the demise of that forum, what gave you the confidence about the future of the business? I was moderator and administrator of GoAllIn.com for a year or so prior to UIGEA. Unfor- tunately the owner ran into financial difficulties and despite substantial cash donations from me and others he closed the site. Immediately after GAI closed, I helped another good friend set up a forum. We worked together for a couple months, but I felt too restrict- ed and we didn’t always agree on the direction the forum should take so I decided that it was the right time to take the plunge and open my own site where I only had to answer to my own conscience. We’re reasonably se- cure financially so I wasn’t looking for an instant profit with the site. Where do you see the future of the online gaming industry going? I think the growth of the industry is INTERVIEWWITH TerryW. Bolger | ThePokerKeep Q.What do the GPWA and antique Canadian furniture have in common? A. Terry Bolger is crazy about both of them! Current hometown: London, Ontario, Canada Age: 51 Favorite food: Rib Eye steak - medium asparagus, corn on the cob, and anything containing chocolate. I have a real sweet tooth One book everyone must read: “How to Dominate $1 and $2 No Limit Hold’Em” by Sam O’Connor. I learned more about poker from this book than all the other books combined. Anything by Stephen King and Dean Koontz. Favorite quotation: “Poker is not a card game played by people. Poker is a people game played with cards.” Sites: thepokerkeep.com, thepokerkeep. blogspot.com Continued on page 53