Marika Nowak, the Traveling Poker Manager Who Loves Sviten Special

Betsson’s Poker Manager Marika Nowak loves traveling, good food and, of course, poker. She is always smiling and positive, and above all, loves the poker crowd vibes, saying that she has met some of the most interesting people via the game. New Year’s Eve is just around the corner, so let’s find out how and where she is celebrating the last day of the year. And more …
Hi, Marika! Looks like you have been traveling quite a bit during 2017. How are you today?
Hi. I just came back from Xmas in Poland, staying one day in Malta and going to Rome for NYE, so, as you said, 2017 was a year of travel.
How is Betsson Poker Manager preparing for NYE?
I am not a big fan of special NYE celebration i.e. huge parties but I love traveling, so this year, I decided to spend it in Rome with good food & wine. I actually visited Rome this year but I have never been there in winter time, so I am sure it will be a great experience.
Your NYE Plans – with or without poker?
No time for poker unfortunately. It’s only a 4-day trip and I prefer to spend it resting completely and preparing myself for busy 2018 at work.
For how long have you been a Poker Manager at Betsson?
I started in July 2016 – one and half years being a part of a great poker team.
What is the most exciting thing about your work?
Definitely people. I’ve always been excited about the poker community. I’ve met so many unique, intelligent and passionate people since I started playing. I have to admit, poker crowd is the most interesting and entertaining from all groups I’ve ever met.
What makes Betsson Brand unique?
Betsson is a brand with a big tradition. It’s a huge Swedish company which engages players in many different ways. Worth to mention, Betsson is focused on providing the most innovative products in the iGaming industry. It’s visible mostly in casino and sportsbook products but we are also planning to improve and develop poker as well. I am looking forward to all these changes.
Future goals for Betsson?
The most important is to provide the best product in the industry and the best user experience. It’s not only a product itself which makes customers happy but many other components: good customer service, personalized promotions, interesting events and the feeling that you are a unique customer, not just a number.
How does the Cash Game Festival fit Betsson’s concept?
Cash Game Festival is a perfect initiative that fits Betsson concept 100%. It’s an innovative project which connects players with the passion for poker who prefer spending time with great people and having fun.
What is the feedback about the Cash Game Festival live events from your qualifiers?
I have to admit I haven’t heard negative feedback even once. Players were excited and positively surprised how unique this event is. As soon as they joined us on one stop, they wanted to be part of it again. We had some qualifiers who joined us on almost all stops we were sponsoring. It makes us happy but also shows how good job the CGF Team did this year.
Would you please describe your career up to becoming a Poker Manager at Betsson?
I started my career in Betsson, working as a customer service agent. I have to admit, it was a very valuable experience and helped a lot to understand the whole company concept, all products’ specifications and players’ expectations. When I finished my probation period, I could apply for another position. Working with poker was my goal, so I applied for Betsson poker manager position, passed several stages of recruitment process and I got the job I really wanted.
How did you and Betsson cross paths?
I decided to move to Malta due to the location as an iGaming industry center. Earlier, I was involved in poker initiatives in Poland and was working for a poker website but all this stopped once the government changed the law. Unfortunately, iGaming companies stopped investing in the Polish market. After holidays in Malta in 2014, I decided to move there. I started working in Betsson and I am still with them.
You and poker – why do you love the game and what is your favorite variation?
Sviten Special (laughing). I have to admit, Sviten is a very interesting game with a lot of action. You cannot get bored. Like most of the poker players, I started my journey by playing Holdem (mostly tournaments and SNG). Considering the fact that I easily get bored, I switched later to Omaha and played mostly Omaha Hi/Lo. I’ve tried almost all games and I’ve always enjoyed Dealer’s Choice but crazy DC I played in Tallinn was the most interesting experience so far. I hope there will be more players interested in different games and we can see more tables running like in Tallinn. CGF 2018 will take care of this part for sure.
How often do you get to play these days?
Not too often. When I spend 8 or 9 hours dealing with poker tasks at work, I prefer to relax in a different way (gym, restaurant, cinema). I am still in love with poker events, so I’m trying to attend some in Malta if we are not a sponsor or organizers. I still love poker but I am more focused on poker community now rather than the game itself.
When and why did you get into poker?
I started playing in 2008 with my friends as an addition to our evenings with board games. Soon we found a sports club in my city, Poznań, where we could play tournaments and also join poker leagues. I fell in love with this game, enjoying the positive atmosphere, sports competitions, events and also traveling with poker. 2009 and 2010 were very intense because I started cooperation with a poker website as a journalist.
What is your most meaningful poker achievement so far?
I was always playing for fun, not professionally, so I do not have spectacular poker achievements and huge winnings to show but I was always happy winning tournaments, both online and live.
You are always smiling and with the positive attitude. What keeps you going in life?
I love to be surrounded by open-minded people. People who love traveling, exploring new areas and searching for new experiences. I cannot be happy in stagnation. I like  poker and it makes me happy and excited every time and everywhere I go, being surrounded by poker crowd.
We have heard that you have had some singing experience. What’s the story?
In short words, the story is unexpected and surprising like many stories in my life. I’m open to new experiences as I mentioned before, so when my friend who knew I love Greece and Greek culture, told me about his colleague who is looking for a singer and a dancer for his band, I said, “I do not have experience but I can try”. I tried, they liked me and we spent almost 2 years playing together. I met amazing people and it was definitely a great experience. People should be more open and say more often “I can do it” instead of “it’s not for me”. I wouldn’t say “I can sing and dance” before but I discovered something new about me.
What are your hopes and dreams for 2018?
Having enough energy for traveling more. Travels make me feel good and relaxed. I would also like to spend more time on my sports condition improvement (gym, yoga, and running). I have a deal with my colleague to be in perfect shape on summer 2018. Wish me luck (laughing).
What’s the best advice you have ever received? Both, in professional and personal life?
To not judge a book by its cover. It’s so true. So many people have amazing souls but they are introverted, shy or cold when you first meet them. All we need is some time and patience. Nowadays, people are in a constant rush. They do not have a chance to stop and consider what they are actually chasing. I wish all of you to have more time for yourselves in 2018, set up goals and achieve them. Good luck to all, not only in terms of poker success but mostly in personal life.
3 things that make life worth living?
Traveling, passion and truffles.

We wish you a wonderful and an adventurous 2018, Marika!

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