Al Krockey was born in 1950, and only a few months later his parents settled in Skokie, Illinois. Raised in a working-class Jewish family that often struggled to make ends meet, Krockey learned the value of hard work early on. By the time he was twenty, he had already opened his record store, The Record Shack. His passion for music led him through a whirlwind career in the 1970s—running a store, starting a record label, and even producing music—before leaving the business in the early 1980s.

He went on to build a successful career in insurance consulting, ultimately becoming vice president of a national firm. At 68, he reached the final table of a World Poker Tour event, and at 75, he embarked on a new journey as an author.

Today, Krockey reflects on a life shaped by grit, reinvention, and a love for the hustle—whether
in business, music, or cards.