While Jack jokes that he is the “last man standing,” his history with Harrah’s, Caesar's and the World Series of Poker, shows that he pretty much is.

Jack's long poker career started with a strange turn of events that took him from his planned destination of California to one of the hottest poker spots in the United States: Tunica, Mississippi. It was there that he was first offered a position as a dealer and within months accepted a managerial position.  Jack was instrumental in the opening of the poker room at the Horseshoe Casino in Bossier, LA.

The poker industry during the late 1990’s and into the new century was sketchy. Before the “Moneymaker Effect” in 2003, poker rooms had begun closing across the nation, and the fate of poker was uncertain. Effel decided to take a dealing position back in Tunica and renewed his college education at the University of Mississippi.

By 2005, Jack had graduated with a degree in Real Estate and Finance, and the poker boom was revitalizing what many had thought was a dead industry. Poker rooms began to see more traffic and the world’s fascination with poker was gaining momentum.

Jack was offered and accepted the role of the World Series of Poker Tournament Director shortly after Harrah’s took over the WSOP. The move put him in charge of the WSOP Circuit events. Jack took over his new role with the enthusiasm of someone truly dedicated to poker and someone who was willing to listen and learn from the players. He traveled with the circuit and continued to build the WSOP Circuit Events into some of the most successful tournaments in the United States.

Jack’s contributions to the WSOP Circuit Events did not go unnoticed and in 2007 he took on his current position of Vice President and Tournament Director of the World Series of Poker. While he still works his magic in the circuit events, striving to make them better and more enjoyable for the players, he now has the added responsibility of maintaining and growing the largest poker experience in the world.

Though he has been a top industry professional, Jack has not lost touch with what the World Series is about: the players.

“I have always thought about the players first,” he says, “I work hard to make sure the experience is the best for the player.”  

From the comfort in the room, to payouts, and to hiring and training the best dealers, Jack wants to ensure that the WSOP is an experience to remember from the time players walk through the door until the time they board their planes home.

This year’s WSOP boasts the Rio’s finest 1000 square feet of gaming, 375 tables, 58 events and looks to top the 200,000 tickets for events, satellites and second chance tournaments that were purchased by those who were chasing the dreams the WSOP offers in 2010.

Jack has led his staff in the difficult task of lining up a series that will appeal to all the different types of players. This year the WSOP introduces a 10-Game Event where Badugi will be played for the first time; as well as a heads-up event.  

Also new in the 2011 WSOP will be the “Weekend Warriors” program. Every Saturday in June there will be a $1,500 event, followed by a $1000 event every Sunday.  In all, there will be five $1,000 events (not counting the Seniors and Ladies tourneys) and twenty $1,500 events.

Based on experience, player requests and input from the WSOP Players Advisory Committee several other changes have been put into place. This year media will not be allowed to cover one table for longer than five minutes and will not be allowed to talk with players while events are in progress. Late registration for events has been extended to the first four levels of play and there will no longer be “hard stop” times.

The sometimes controversial ladies only event will take place on Friday, July 1st at noon. The three day event is positioned to make it available to more women. “We are proud of the ladies event,” Jack says. “The ladies event always produces happy players and that is the goal of the WSOP. And we will do our part to keep it that way.”

In closing, Jack adds “This is not just a job. We are creating something bigger than all of us. We are creating memories. Players, spectators will remember the WSOP regardless of how they do at the tables.  I have seen poker grow from being something people hide and no one wanting to admit that they play to a game that’s loved. It has become more of a sport than a game.

Everyone has a shot to play with the best, and everyone has the chance to change their life."