If you’ve been around the World Series of Poker at the Rio or at a Circuit Event over the last few years, chances are that you’ve had the opportunity to exchange a few words with one of the most courteous and professional suits in the industry, Bill Bruce.
For the last sixteen years, Bruce has enjoyed a successful career in gaming, much of which in Southern.California where he currently resides.
Today, Bruce is the number two man at Poker Tournament Consultants (PTC), the industry leader in coordinating and running poker tournaments worldwide. Along with PTC president, noted tournament director, Jimmy Sommerfeld, Bruce plans and organizes numerous major poker events throughout the year, including many of the stops on the WSOP Circuit.
WSOP.com caught up to Bruce while he was preparing for one of PTC’s biggest events of 2011, the WSOP Circuit Regional Championship at Harrah’s Rincon. Bruce took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to share a bit about himself and an industry that he is quite passionate about.
WSOP.com: Would you care to tell us a little about yourself? Where are you from originally? Married? Kids?
Bruce: I am married with three boys ages 11, 12 and 14. I am originally from a small southern Indiana town. I moved to Southern California in high school and have resided there ever since.
WSOP.com: So, how did you get your start in the gaming industry?
Bruce: I started as a dealer in 1994 and worked my way up through the management ranks. I was a VIP/executive host for a time at a Southern California Casino where I was entrusted with their highest-level players and celebrities. After meeting with WSOP director Jack Effel in 2007, I joined tournament director Jimmy Sommerfeld and the rest of the WSOP team.
WSOP.com: Do you play a lot of poker?
Bruce: Yes. Live and online.
WSOP.com: What’s it like travelling to different casinos around the country running tournaments?
Bruce: That’s one of the great parts of this job. We get to share the WSOP product at various Caesars properties nationwide. We get to expose local poker players to big time tournament poker close to their home. We’re able to assist partner casinos in staffing and directing these massive events which they might not normally have the resources to put on.
WSOP.com: For those not sure whether they have the chops to play in a WSOP Circuit Event, what do you have to say to them?
Bruce: Like many other sports on any given day anyone can win. If you can run good and play your best in a circuit event it can change your life. If there is an event near you I would encourage poker players of all levels to take your shot. You don’t know until you try.
WSOP.com: Do you have any funny stories to share?
Bruce: So many stories come to mind. I’ve had a lot of good times working with the great staff we’ve assembled at Poker Tournament Consultants. Jimmy Sommerfeld is quite a character and he makes things interesting (to say the least) each day.