Biography
Originally a classically trained theater actor from Cleveland, OH, he earned his BFA Theater degree (English minor) from Kent State University. His senior Honors thesis, 'Directing Postmodern Ibsen,' presented Dave's adaptation of An Enemy of the People, and featured modern dance, a techno soundtrack, and non-linear staging. While at Kent -- where 4 students were shot and killed by the National Guard on May 4th, 1970 for protesting the war in Vietnam -- he also developed a great respect for the power the arts have in shining on light on social, economic & racial injustice.
After gaining experience in several Cleveland-area films and theater (including his own postmodern performance group 'boygirl productions') he relocated to Hollywood in order to pursue expanded acting opportunities. Finding some moderate success with indie films and television roles, he did not see his "Big Break" for several years -- until he started moonlighting as a blackjack card counter in Vegas. Whereas many actors support the audition lifestyle with bartending gigs, Dave found he could make a lucrative income in blackjack by using a combination of acting ability, Mensa-certified IQ, and a bit of in-your-face attitude. Eventually, Dave finished in 2nd place at the 2004 World Series of Blackjack (where he was a favorite to win on the last card dealt), and his alter-ego 'Hollywood Dave' was born.
For the next decade, Dave would go on to appear in nearly 100 episodes of gambling TV, write several columns on game theory, write a book (Hollywood Blackjack: An Uncensored Guide to Doing It Like a Pro), and was sponsored by many online real-money-gaming brands. Trading blackjack & poker lessons with fellow pro Annie Duke, Dave spent years on the global tournament trail, winning dozens of poker and blackjack tournaments, playing with a professional card counting team, and sharing his insights with a growing fan base. However, as the USA market became increasingly unfriendly towards online gambling, he started spending more time behind the scenes, consulting on a variety of subscription, social and skill-based gaming projects such as the Ultimate Blackjack Tour, the Play WPT software platform, and multiple real money gaming brands.
Officially making his move to Oakland, CA in early 2012, Dave has now focused his skills entirely on developing mobile gaming products in the Bay Area startup scene, including creating the award-winning 'Fresh Deck Poker' (mobile, Facebook) and launching the real-money skill based platform Sparcade (mobile), where players win real cash for competing in their favorite casual games like Tetris, Scrabble, and Pac-Man.
Currently an avid cryptocurrency trader and VR/AR enthusiast, he continues to build next gen gaming platforms & support many progressive causes, such as media literacy, social justice, and anti-war action.
