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Lee Jones is Still Who I Thought He Was![ return to main articles page ]

By: Dan
Published on Apr 30th, 2008
Back in 2007, I was fortunate enough to be able to take a business trip down to Nassau in The Bahamas for the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure. Besides the big bucks on the line and waterslides through shark tanks, the center of attention at the Atlantis Paradise Island was Lee Jones, who at the time was the Customer Service Manager for PokerStars. One of the most responsive and understanding individuals you’ll ever meet, Jones has since moved on to work with the European Poker Tour and recently took a full time position in the U.S. with CardRunners, one of the top online poker training sites available. Jones joins the PocketFives.com Podcast this week to discuss his new undertaking with CardRunners and fields questions from PocketFivers.

Jones left PokerStars to join the EPT and, after a year’s service, decided to part ways with the EPT in order to return to U.S. soil year-round. He explains, “It all kind of started because my wife and I have been living in the U.K. for the past couple of years. We decided it was time for us to get back to the United States. I was having a great time at the EPT and it was a lot of fun. I got to meet a ton of great poker players, but I couldn’t justify trying to do all of the travel that working on the EPT while living in the United States would have required. When I stepped down as Poker Room Manager at PokerStars, [CardRunners.com owner] Taylor Caby wrote me a very nice e-mail saying that he appreciated the work I did and if I was ever interested in working with CR, I should give him a call. I picked up the phone and one thing led to another.”

At CardRunners, Jones will handle the training site’s video production and customer service arms, two of the most critical elements of the company. The latter is what really vaulted Jones into the spotlight at PokerStars, making it one of the top online poker sites available. He describes why having top-notch customer service is critically important to any business: “No matter what you do well for a customer, it almost comes back in multiples of itself in benefits to you and the overall community. I’m very quick to find a way to say yes to a customer. The huge majority of people just want to be treated fairly. If we bend over backwards to treat them fairly, I think it’s great.”

Just like the online poker industry itself, the online poker training business is still nascent and growing leaps and bounds. Jones considers CardRunners to be the industry leader now, but emphasizes the importance of staying on top: “I’ve always told people that the online poker industry is young. It was just fascinating to be there at its inception and watch it grow. The online poker training industry is even younger and even more of an amazing process to watch grow. What always happens in any new industry is that when it first starts, if you have anything, you’re the only person in the business and you’re the go to guy. Right now, CardRunners is on top. However, there’s no rule that says we have to stay there. We’re going to stay on top by focusing on our quality and constantly innovating.”

In his first few days on the job, Jones has had the opportunity to get to know his fellow staff at CardRunners, many of whom are considerably younger. They include Co-Founders Caby and Andrew “muddywater” Wiggins. Jones talks about his new co-workers: “It’s weird to have a boss that’s the same age as my older son. I‘m delighted to work with these guys. They are wonderful young men who have their heads screwed on straight. They want to do something that’s much bigger than just poker. I consider myself extraordinarily fortunate to be able to work with them.”

Catch up with Lee Jones, the new Chief Operating Officer of CardRunners.com, this week on the PocketFives.com Podcast! Click here to listen.

Comments

  1. slapshot slapshot is offline

    Albany, NY
    United States

    Posts: 1,573
    Joined: Feb 07

    May 1st, 2008 (5/1/2008 4:08pm)

    <p>rank Lee Jones.</p>
  2. TMLMS13 TMLMS13 is offline

    Waterloo
    Canada

    Posts: 15,995
    Joined: Dec 05

    May 1st, 2008 (5/1/2008 4:20pm) in reply to Dan

    <p>how does it feel to have people you used to own be your boss? </p>
  3. ace1won ace1won is offline

    Port Alberni
    Canada

    Posts: 2,401
    Joined: Jul 05

    May 1st, 2008 (5/1/2008 5:04pm) in reply to Dan

    <p>Dont let them talk you into doing flips for your paycheck</p>
  4. TonyBlaze TonyBlaze is offline

    Posts: 808
    Joined: Apr 06

    May 1st, 2008 (5/1/2008 8:10pm) in reply to Dan

    <p>Card Runners just went up 1000% in my books. An incredibly genius move on their behalf to get Lee on the team. </p>
    <p>They have brought in a guy with an incredible wealth of experience in growing and fostering a very big business. They may be smart guys but there is no way one could substitute for the experience and reputation of Mr. Lee Jones himself. IMO this move will be +++EV comparitive to Lee's Salary in terms of the respect they will gain from the online community resulting in hoards of new customers including myself. </p>
    <p>The committment to excellence this shows is tremendous.</p>
    <p>How will Bax and Sheets match this? IDK if it's even possible...... </p>
    <p>Very Very WP Card Runners! </p>
    <p>Checkmate imo</p>
     
  5. Born2DonkBaby Born2DonkBaby is offline

    United States

    Posts: 108
    Joined: Sep 06

    May 2nd, 2008 (5/2/2008 12:00am) in reply to Dan

    <p>When does Lee make his first video about running good at pokerstars?</p>
 

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