On January 1^st 1990 my new life began. I had given notice at my regular place of employment and would now become a pro poker player. As far as I know I was a pioneer for at that time there was nobody in Germany who could state that his profession was playing poker and claim that 100% of his livelihood came from this. During the year I spent 335 days, or should I say nights, in casinos, mainly in Baden-Baden but also in Wiesbaden and occasionally in Austria. Every day I spent six or more hours playing Seven Card Stud, the version that has remained my favourite to this day.