PocketFives had the chance to sit with Renata LadyBlueSkyColache (pictured), who can be found playing in the live arena the majority of the time, but always manages to find time to grind on some of the regulated online poker sites in New Jersey. She is better known as Tainted Lady on WSOP and LadyMaverickon Borgata.

Her husband introduced her to online poker in 2010, which fed her competitive drive to become better. Colache has over $63,000 in combined online and live cashes, which include a win in the PartyPoker/Borgata $5,000 Guarantee, a second place finish in the network’s $10,000 Guarantee, and a second place finish in the 888 Poker/WSOP $10,000 Guarantee for a total of $5,380.

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

PocketFives: How did you get started in poker?

Renata Colache: In 2010, I started playing tournaments online at PokerStars for play money. My husband introduced me to the game and, once Pokerstars gave me some promotional money to test out the “real money” sector of the game, I never looked back. I am a competitive person by nature and, in this game, it is one of the driving factors that feeds my soul.

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

Renata Colache: I believe that regulating poker online in New Jersey has been a pleasant experience overall. Having said that, there is still a work a lot of work that needs to be done in order for it to be a sweeping success in the poker community.

There are still too many software deficiencies and I am looking forward to the day when there is some interstate aligning. Once these two items are addressed, perhaps then, and only then, can we get within a stone’s throw of the good old PokerStars days.

PocketFives: What has been your most memorable cash or winon the New Jersey websites?

Renata Colache: There was one week about two months ago where I cashed in every tournament I played in and was crushing the $4,000 Guarantee for three nights in a row. I wish I had a memorable cash during the Majors, but Sunday’s haven’t really fared well for me. I call it the “Sunday Curse.”

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

Renata Colache: I tend to play mostly on PartyPoker and WSOP because they are really the only ones to play on at this time, especially after the merge with 888. Once in a while, though, I will get on 888 because sometimes it’s just fun to throw a tomato at someone.

PocketFives: Do you feel online poker has improved your live play?

Renata Colache: At some level, yes I do believe that online poker has improved my live play. After all, that is how I initially got started. Even though you see more hands online in vast amounts, it has taught me to pick my spots well when playing live.

However, I really feel that the two are essentially different. Live poker players rely mostly on their ability to read their opponents and the ability to see weaknesses that would otherwise not be visible with online players. Live players need to be more selective in the tournaments they play, whereas with online players, it’s all about pumping out the volume in addition to the ability of breaking down the stats of your opponents.

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

Renata Colache: I am a Vice President at a financial institution in a Specialized Lending Group. I enjoy spending time with my wonderful, supportive husband and my two beautiful children. I love the outdoors and last year I started to run a few miles a day, which has become part of who I am. It helps me stay focused and disciplined and helps me not lose sight of what’s really important: my family and friends.