Business Notes CAREERS

Trading stock options is a high-risk business. That is why Jack Keller of Winnetka, Ill., took up the trade: compared with his previous career as a professional poker player, being a market maker looked low key. Keller, the No. 2 U.S. money winner at poker -- $300,000 this year -- has traded a seat at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for one on the Chicago Board Options Exchange.

He was induced to make the move by Jerry Krause, a friend in the options business. Krause staked Keller to $50,000 and guaranteed to cover all his losses in return for half his winnings. After two months on the job, says Krause, Keller is "up 100% on the original investment."