PocketFives had the opportunity to catch up with Alex AvonBarkz Jim (pictured), a Brooklyn resident who crosses the Hudson River to grind on regulated online poker websites offered in New Jersey. Surrounding himself with a successful group of poker players, Jim saw what playing poker could do for him financially that he decided to put school on hold to see where this game will take him.

Long-term, he is not looking to go pro, but he is having fun with what is offered both in the live poker arena and virtual felts. With over $95,000 in tracked online cashes, some of his notable scores include a second place in the PartyPokerGSSS II $50,000 Guarantee High-Roller, a win in the 888 $10,000 Guarantee, and a win in the 888 Big Sunday $10,000 Gguarantee for a total of $14,687.

Visit PocketFives’ New Jersey poker community for the latest news and discussion from New Jersey players.

PocketFives: What got you started playing online poker?

Alex Jim: I missed out on the golden days of online poker pre-Black Friday in the US, but with these regulated New Jersey sites available, I felt like playing online was a good way to catch up on experience through playing more hands and tournaments in order to improve.

PocketFives: We understand that you are originally from Brooklyn. Do you travel to New Jersey to play regulated online poker?

Alex Jim: I’m currently living in Brooklyn but spend a lot of time playing online when I’m in New Jersey for live events. I think it’s ridiculous that I have to cross a state line just to play regulated online poker, but it’s a start. There is a gambling boom happening right now, however it’s not poker, its daily fantasy sports.

PocketFives: What are your favorite New Jersey online poker sites to play and why?

Alex Jim: All sites have their pros and cons. Borgata and PartyPoker have the largest guarantees and offer the biggest online series. However, their software needs major improvement. I even talked to a few New Jersey online players who told me they either don’t play on these sites at all or only on Sundays.

WSOP and 888 have better software than Party/Borgata. However, there is one bug which needs to be fixed ASAP. The table balancing on final table bubbles is absurd. Hopefully PokerStars comes through with the software and guarantees we all expect.

PocketFives: How many hours do you dedicate to poker each week?

Alex Jim: I’ve put in a decent amount of work for a recreational player, but I am nowhere close to putting in as much volume and hours as most of the New Jersey regulars/residents. When I’m not playing, I spend a good amount of time studying off the tables.

PocketFives: Since the launch of regulated online poker in New Jersey, what has been your most memorable cash or win?

Alex Jim: My most memorable cash would probably be last GSSS series where I got second in the High-Roller Bounty for about $8,000. My most memorable win would have to be the Big Sunday $10,000 Guarantee on 888 because that tournament does not exist anymore.

PocketFives: Is there anyone who helped change how you approach the game of poker?

Alex Jim: The people who I have spent the most time talking hands with would probably be WPT Champ Asher Conniff (anthonymason), Mike Azzaro (mikeycasino), and Chris Hortski (hort336), who have all helped me tremendously with my game.

PocketFives: What do you do away from poker? What else interests you?

Alex Jim: I was going to school for business management but had an interesting year through poker and decided to ride the wave for the time being. I don’t necessarily have plans to play poker full-time, but I do enjoy where I’m at currently.

I think it’s important to balance poker with having fun, going out with friends, and living life. When your mood, whether happy or sad, is based solely on your results at the poker table, it can lead to a pretty unhealthy lifestyle.