Prior to poker, Shak was a trader on the New York Mercantile and Commodities Exchange (COMEX).

In 2002, Shak established SHK Asset Management, a hedge fund focused on gold futures.

He has been active on the circuit since and came close to winning his first WSOP bracelet in 2010 when he came in second to Chris Bell at the $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-low Split-8 or Better event.

Shak has been most successful at the Aussie Millions where he scored his biggest cash for $1,107,553 at 2010 $100,000 buy in event.

Shak has always considered poker a hobby and turned down any business offers related to it.