Tech Shout!

An 18-year-old high school dropout does not usually have a bright future, however Jordan Berkowitz is luckier than the rest. He has apparently left school behind for a lucrative career in on-line gambling.

Berkowitz said, “I buy a lot of watches, jewelry, clothes, earrings, cars.�

The Marple Township teenager is no actor or rap star, he is an online poker champ.

“I’ve won probably a dozen tournaments for $50,000 or more,â€? he said.

Berkowitz’s story is featured in this month’s Philadelphia Magazine.

His black and red bedroom in his mom’s house is a haven to the game. He has an $85,000 BMW and a brand new Range Rover.

He says, “What do I want for Christmas? Well, every day is like Christmas for me.�

Berkowitz won a hand worth $300 in front of CBS 3’s cameras in about 20 seconds. Earlier this year, he won a championship worth $57,000, but he claims that online poker was not always fun.

Berkowitz lost thousands when he started a few years ago. “I wasn’t in school, I was playing poker, no money, I regretted not being in school,â€? he said.

Debt can drive people to desperation. The attorney representing a class president at Lehigh University accused of robbing a bank blames gambling debt as motivation for the crime.

Berkowitz said, “I’m pretty sure I have a good idea of what was going through his head. I’m sure; actually I do, because it went through mine.â€? He added, “It was bad, but it was all worth it in the end, but I wouldn’t recommend it ’cause not everyone’s going to win the World Online Championship in poker,â€? he said. “Not everyone’s going to win a million dollars in a few months, you know.â€?

As of now Berkowitz is stepping away from poker, taking a vacation, and thinking about taking a different gamble.

The poker prince says, “I wouldn’t mind investing in the stock market.â€?