Andrew ‘luckychewy’ Lichtenberger is used to being a figurative boss at the tables. The poker pro, who has over $8.5 million in live tournament earnings, now has his sights set on being a literal boss, one in charge of an online poker site.

Lichtenberger recently launched LuckyChewyPoker.com in beta mode. The online poker client currently allows free play tables and is part of a larger-scale project which includes a poker forum, poker training and, hopefully in the future, real money online poker.

The site launched earlier this month with a download of the play money client and sections set up for community and news. The goal appears to be a holistic full-service place for poker fans to play, learn, chat, and read about the game.

While real money gaming is not currently available, Lichtenberger and company are already taking steps to be ready to offer the product wherever legal online gaming is allowed. The company’s technology has been vetted by iTech Labs, who asserts all facets of the site, including the random number generator, are up to standards set by the UK Gaming Commission.

The project obviously has taken quite a bit of time and effort for Lichtenberger and his team. Two years, to be exact. Lichtenberger’s faith in the people he is working with is what spurned him to take the leap and launch the site in the first place.

“We knew our team had the capability to create the software and security systems necessary to run the site and we thought it would be a fun venture to enrich the community and give the players more of a voice in the poker industry moving forward,” he said.

This site is just the beginning for LuckyChewyPoker according to Lichtenberger’s Twitter. After the beta launched, Lichtenberger Tweeted seeking feedback in all forms as the team works to develop and perfect the offering.

“We have programmed both NLH and PLO and have cash games (regular and avatar), tournaments and sit & go’s,” Lichtenberger explained. “We will eventually have 8-game and other game variants and are open to other formats as well”.

This is not the first poker pro to test the waters of their own online poker. Phil Ivey made a similar effort, even partnering with Leggo Poker where Lichtenberger served as a coach. More recently, Phil Galfond announced his company Run It Once would be working on a real money gaming offering as well.

Lichtenberger is not surprised the online pros are now pursuing their own sites.

“I think it’s somewhat of a natural progression and see that we are both driven by the same things –our love for the game, and our appreciation for the experiences and friendships we have had and made as a result of the great game of poker and the community that surrounds and sustains it.”

Community does seem to be an incredibly important point of emphasis for LuckyChewyPoker. With its multi-faceted offering and sincere desire to incorporate feedback into the development of the software, it does seem to be getting notice in the online poker market.