Dan Cooley (pictured), also known as rtheusaon PocketFives, is a very happy camper nowadays. The reason: he can play online poker in New Jersey legally and competitively. Cooley’s accomplishments thus far include a second place finish in the Borgata/PartyPoker$50K Guarantee Sunday Major for $6,808. He also finished in second place and third place on two separate occasions in the nightly $10K Guarantee on Borgata/PartyPoker for a total of $3,018. Lastly, Cooley won the Big Sunday $10K Guarantee on 888 Pokerfor $3,000 and recently took down the Ultimate Poker $5K Guarantee for $1,550.

PocketFives: What got you started playing online poker?

Dan Cooley: When I was 18, I started playing for fun with my cousin Jimmy and, before I knew it, we were playing constantly. The first game I ever played was an 18-person sit and go with my cousin’s friends and I ended up coming in seventh, which was a big deal because I made like 5 bucks! I’ve always been competitive, but was never really good at sports, and suddenly I had an outlet. Also in that sit and go, I lost with A-J to A-10, so it was my first bad beat story.

PocketFives: Is there any meaning behind your screen name?

Dan Cooley: I have always dreamed of being interviewed by PocketFives and have dreaded the thought of getting asked this question. Here it goes. rtheusa was based off the screen name I used on a “Harry Potter” forum when I was like 14 years old. That’s so dorky and I didn’t think I would ever share it. As for BrokeArtist, it basically describes my life right now.

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

Dan Cooley: I would say it’s a toss-up between PartyPoker and WSOP.com, although I definitely see the tournament structure at WSOP.com as being the best. I think both of these sites really listen to their clients and take our feedback seriously. Also, the satellites to live events are a huge plus!

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

Dan Cooley: I’ve been very lucky with my early success and hope to have it continue. The most memorable for me would have to be when I chopped the PartyPoker $50K in late January. I was short-stacked that entire tournament. I literally didn’t get over 25,000 in chips until there were about four tables left. Even then, it wasn’t until right before the final table that I accumulated any chips. So, to be able to chop heads-up was incredible.

PocketFives: Is there anyone or anything that helped change how you approach the game?

Dan Cooley: PocketFives played a big part in helping me grow as a poker player. Over the last year, the New Jersey pokerforum on PocketFives has helped improve my game immensely. I want to thank my cousin Jimmy (Hoops886 on PocketFives) for pushing me to take this game more seriously and to approach it with a higher level of thinking.

PocketFives: Do you play any live poker?

Dan Cooley: Not as much as I would like. I was lucky enough to make a deep run in a Borgata Winter Poker Open side event in January. I am definitely hoping to change that over the next year, but with work, it’s just not possible now.

Want the latest poker headlines and interviews? Follow PocketFives on Twitterand Like PocketFives on Facebook. You can also subscribe to our RSS feed.