08 AUGUST 2024
What’s life like at PokerStars? We’ll let Kyle Thomas, Product Owner at PokerStars and our resident ace in Toronto tell you!
Kyle joined PokerStars three years ago as a Graduate Business Systems Analyst and has navigated his career with the precision of a seasoned poker player. That’s not all though – Kyle also leads the Social Committee in Toronto, organizing a royal flush of social events!
Read on to find out all about Kyle’s experience at PokerStars…
Hi Kyle! Please could you tell us more about your role and responsibilities at PokerStars?
I am Product Owner for the poker gameplay squad. Any new features that come to the poker table and poker settings would be developed by our squad. As the Product Owner, I define what needs to be built and ensure the squad delivers a valuable product that meets user needs and business goals. I prioritize features, communicate with stakeholders, and guide the development process.
How would you describe the culture at PokerStars?
We work with a lot of great people who are dedicated to delivering the best possible experience for our players. There is a healthy balance between work and social events that bring us closer together.
Can you share a memorable experience during your time at PokerStars?
More recently I had organized a Toronto wide poker tournament for colleagues. With food, live dealers, fun prizes, it was a blast! The social events are always a hit and bring everyone together.
Can you highlight a successful project or collaboration you’ve been involved in?
Last year we delivered a Mystery Bounty offering. To give context, a Mystery Bounty tournament is a tournament where in the final stage, if players knock another player out of the tournament, they are awarded a Mystery Bounty. The value of the bounty is a Mystery – hence the name – and can be massive, adding another element of surprise and fun for players. For this project, it required the help of a handful of delivery squads. Specifically for our squad, we delivered all the new UI elements, a new table theme, winning animations, bounties and more. Over 16,000 entrants took part in the first-ever Mystery Bounty tournament, making it one of the biggest Sunday Millions in recent history, and it easily surpassed its $1 million guarantee, amassing a prize pool of $1.6 million!
What opportunities for growth and development have you experienced at PokerStars?
I started at PokerStars as a Graduate Business Systems Analyst then was promoted to a Product Owner. There are a lot of opportunities across the Flutter organization to further grow your career, whether you want a more tech-based role or more people-based role, it’s a great company to be a part of with lots of options.
Are there any unique events or initiatives at PokerStars that you find particularly inspiring or enjoyable?
Outside of my delivery work, I lead the Social Committee which delivers all the social events in the office. So far this year we’ve had some live qualifier poker tournaments, live blackjack tournaments, team get togethers, giveaways, etc. – the list goes on! Through these events colleagues can collaborate outside of work and further build those relationships.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career at PokerStars?
Stay curious and keep learning! Technology is constantly evolving at a fast rate; you always want to get better and stay ahead of the curve.
Thank you Kyle for taking the time to answer our questions, it sounds like you’ve gone all-in on delivering the best experience for players and the best social events for our colleagues!
Are you keen to get a seat at the table?
Search PokerStars jobs and apply today!
