Martin alias Marty - who among the Czech fans does not know one of the pioneers of our professional poker, who managed to represent the biggest poker room PokerStars for six years? Who does not remember how he knocked out the famous Daniel Negreanu at EPT Vienna in 2010, shocking not only this extravagant superstar, but also the entire world poker public? What has changed in the seven years since he left the PS pro team?

Martin, why did you actually stop playing poker at a professional level?

One of the reasons was the termination of cooperation with PokerStars. After six years, they did not renew my professional contract, they fundamentally changed their policy and the setting of where and where they want to go.

How was your transition to a "normal" life after more than a decade of purely gaming?

For the past two years, when I was still a member of the PokerStars team, I thought I could do something completely different, so I've been preparing for the transition to a normal life for some time. I always had a professional contract for a year, with the fact that it was always extended after it expired. Although the conditions gradually worsened slightly, it was still a very favorable contract that was hard to refuse.

If I understand it correctly, there were other factors that distanced you a bit from the world of professional poker…

Poker was, and still is, my passion. But I was self-critical enough and was able to admit to myself that I was stagnating in terms of gaming and that I was lagging behind at certain moments. The game has changed, it has become more difficult, a significant part of the generation of players with whom I have met and bonded over the years has left. Online poker is simply different, it's more of a hard sport, certainly not a source of easy earnings. I don't mean that it's wrong, everything evolves and you just can't stop it.

Have you tried to improve or work on your game?

I had a coach for the tournaments who helped me a lot. Unfortunately, I had already made up my mind that I don't want to play poker for the rest of my life. And even though there were still some successes, online gaming stopped being a priority for me. I didn't live alone, family, children and all the responsibilities associated with running a family came first. The fact that my contract was not renewed only accelerated this natural movement towards a new lifestyle.

So what does the new lifestyle of Martin Hruby, a former full-time poker player, look like?

(laughter) The "new" Martin Hruby gets up early in the morning, takes his wife's daughter to school at half past eight and rushes to work. I often work together with my wife on weekends, our family business. But I'm not complaining at all, it's important to me that I found something again that I enjoy, fulfills and drives me to the next years.

Can you tell us more about your work?

We have an advertising production company called Qent print. Simply put, we are a large format, digital printer. We print, stick, produce everything that can be printed from business cards to megaboards... We are growing fast, buying new technologies, cooperating with a number of other professionals, which allows us to present complex offers to the client. That's my daily bread now, I'd say we're doing well.

Well, isn't that just how you got into this kind of business anyway?

Literally like "blind to the violin" (laughs). About five or six years ago, they threw me headlong into it and I had no choice but to learn as I went. But I failed this job from day one. In a way, it reminded me of my early days in poker. Just like poker, I wanted to get to the bottom of this industry as well. First of all, you have to want, but of course the support of family, friends and people who have been in this field for some time was important. Everything is much easier when you have someone to lean on.

But let's get back to poker. How do you perceive it now with the passage of time?

Although times change, poker will always be great, exciting and intelligent entertainment. Yes, it also helped me to create some capital that I could invest in the business. But I don't have any more material dreams related to poker, our family business has to make money. With a certain limited regularity, I only go to play in Brandys, as you already mentioned. I play poker here, and I met my wonderful wife here.

So are you still following what's going on in the poker world?

Very limited, I'm really short on time. Some information sticks out to me though. Meaningful projects that interest me are being born here in the entertainment industry. They could put the Czech Republic on the map of the poker world and cultivate the entire gaming industry. In terms of ideas and goals, I am close to the project of American investors. They have decades of success behind them in the most competitive environment. If they puts their experience to good use here, it will only benefit the cause.

So can you imagine that poker would be more than just fun for you?

"Never say never" may be a cliché, but why not use it. But I repeat that my priorities are different, family and work come first. I won't be playing poker like before, I know that for sure. There are 24 hours in a day and I have to manage my time wisely. On the other hand, as a retired professional, someone who has really experienced a lot in this field, I will be happy to help those who show interest.

Would you recommend today's young, ambitious poker players to go for it like you did 10-15 years ago?

The young and talented, as you say, must first of all determine what to expect from the world of poker. The vision of "quick" money is not enough, it does not lead to the goal. It is ideal if you have someone experienced by your side who will let you see a little into this world. Poker is fun, but at the top level it's no fun at all. You need to have nerves of steel, money, time, and above all, a lot of patience. You have to give it 100% and maybe add something. There is a lot of consideration and measurement to be done before you take the plunge and head in that direction.

Thanks a lot, Martin, for the interview. Good luck in your private and professional life and make time for some poker!

You are welcome! I wish you and all readers the best, and I'll definitely see you around the poker table somewhere.