PocketFives had the opportunity to catch up Ben JudgeBenLaves (pictured, ranked 78th in New Jersey), who calls Somerset home. Mostly a lower stakes online poker player, Laves has accumulated over $53,000 in tracked online cashes to date. An attorney by trade, when he is not practicing law, you can find JudgeBen in just about any tournament that is running day or night. Visit PocketFives’ New Jersey poker community for the latest news and discussion from New Jersey players.

PocketFives: Give us your thoughts and experiences of regulated online poker in New Jersey.

Ben Laves: I always enjoyed playing the tourneys at the various Borgata Opens, but the long drive down to Atlantic City in the early morning hours followed by another long drive home in the dark of the wee hours has been a deterrent. Overnight prices for a Friday or Saturday night, if not prohibitive, just feel outrageously high for a room you may not even get a chance to use because you’ve run deep in a tourney.

The convenience of playing from home eliminates a ton of wasted hours to and from live tourneys. I work from home, so I wake up early and begin working before 7am. I’m able to put in a solid 4-5 hours of productive time before even considering playing online. Plus, I can choose an inexpensive tournament to play while I do some of my more routine chores.

I’m probably one of the older online players. I know there are a few out there over 60 also, including some who have fully retired. I have no desire to retire completely, but I also don’t want to put in the 50 to 80 hour weeks working I did when I was a young attorney. So, having online poker available whenever I wish is a perk I’ve earned after all those years.

Online poker should be a multi-state endeavor. The increased business competition would assure better market offerings to the larger pool of players and stability in the marketplace. Some people think PokerStars’ entrance will cure what ails New Jersey’s online poker scene, but I’m not sure a New Jersey only player pool is large enough to assure a predictable online future.

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

Ben Laves: I play on PartyPoker/Borgata and WSOP. Each has its pros and cons. I like small buy-in MTTs, but occasionally want to improve my skills by testing myself against the better players in the evening and weekend tourneys. Connection issues still seem to plague both sites. Also, they have yet to find a balance in their offerings. Players need to freely give constructive suggestions, while the sites need to listen and improve their customer support.

Party/Borgata offers final table deals. This should be an offering on all sites. In fact, it should be supported at the brick-and-mortar rooms in New Jersey as well.

PocketFives: How did you get started in poker originally? Why was it appealing?

Ben Laves: Poker is the all-American card game. I grew up with it just as we all did. I miss my old home games and friends in West Orange, but they were very different than tournament poker. After playing my first live tournament, I fell in love with the competition. It’s also huge positive that PocketFives has an active New Jersey section complete with state and local rankings. Who isn’t motivated when they see themselves on a PocketFives rankings list?

PocketFives: To what do you attribute your current online success?

Ben Laves: I don’t claim to be a successful poker player. I’m strictly an amateur having fun. Occasionally, I finish in the money and maybe even win a tournament. But one thing playing MTTs has taught me is that there are a lot of great players out there with a huge amount of knowledge. And I learn something from many of them.

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

Ben Laves: I’ve been an active attorney for nearly 44 years. I spent my early years in public service and now in private practice focus on estates and trusts, albeit on a somewhat reduced schedule. Attorneys never lose their love of learning and I’m no exception. I try to learn something new every day.

Some nights and weekends I do volunteer work for several charitable and public organizations. When I first moved to Somerset, I co-developed a shopping center to serve the nearby new adult communities. In 2010, I had the honor of running for election to the office of Somerset County Surrogate. It was at a live tourney during the campaign that players starting calling me “Judge.” I got to meet some wonderful and truly exceptional people, many of whom I am delighted to call my friends today. And, of course, family is my top priority.