PocketFives had the chance to sit down with Jimmy mooseman1710 Reyes (pictured), who possesses the talent of playing the cello as well as shipping online poker tournaments in New Jersey. He has been playing online poker since before Black Friday. Now that online poker is regulated in New Jersey, he got the opportunity to continue grinding online and build a nice bankroll.

With over $30,000 in tracked online cashes on New Jersey sites, some of his accomplishments include three wins in the 888/WSOP $10,000 Guarantee and a recent win in the network’s $2,500 Guarantee. Visit PocketFives’ New Jersey poker community for the latest news and discussion from New Jersey players.

PocketFives: When did you start playing poker and why was it appealing?

Jimmy Reyes: I started playing poker right around the time ESPN started airing WSOP episodes. My friends and I would have $20 buy-in two- and three-table tournaments. This eventually led to my brother and me putting $50 in the now-defunct PokerRoom.com and grinding $10 SNGs. This led to a $600 deposit onto Full Tilt Poker, where I would play on my brother’s account.

The main appeal of poker at the time was having the opportunity to make money by outsmarting other people. I was very competitive when it came to games and adding an element of money to the game was a thrill I couldn’t get enough of.

PocketFives: Is there a meaning behind the screen names you grind under?

Jimmy Reyes: There was a ridiculous time in middle school (AOL Instant Messenger days) when a friend and I pretended to be moose. Seventeen is my favorite number, but mooseman17 was taken on AIM. So, they suggested mooseman1710 and it stuck. I haven’t been anything else since.

PocketFives: What’s your favorite hand and why?

Jimmy Reyes: My favorite hand is pocket sevens. It holds up pretty well against AK, but in reality it’s my favorite hand because it just looks like luck; it’s beautiful. It is also not high enough of a pocket pair that you find yourself in really tough situations. I love hands that usually have easy decisions associated with them.

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

Jimmy Reyes: My most important win was probably my first in the 888/WSOP $10,000 Guarantee win on June 6 of this year. I had just deposited $70 onto WSOP and binked the $10K in a couple days. This allowed me to finally play more volume and not hope desperately for a score before I went busto.

The most fun I had in one night (even though I’ve netted more on other days) has to be the night I won the WSOP $1,500 Deepstack Rebuy and the WSOP 10 at 10 $1,000 Guarantee Turbo in the same night. Winning the 888/WSOP High Roller $2,500 Guarantee for the first time on December 15 was awesome as well.

PocketFives: How do you prepare yourself before a poker session?

Jimmy Reyes: There are two things that I try to do before I have a long grinding session. I try to exercise a little bit and make sure I have put in my practice time on my cello. Doing both of these things before a long session can clear my mind and allow me to be in the moment.

Exercise and music have both been proven to enhance cognitive ability, so I assume it can’t hurt me. I also have read a couple of interviews of New Jersey players on PocketFives where people say they eat a healthy meal before a long session. On the contrary, I like to grind on a completely empty stomach with pots and pots of coffee on-hand.

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

Jimmy Reyes: I pretty much taught myself how to play through long streaks of winning and losing, so in regards to anyone who has helped me change the way I approach the game, no. However, getting a HUD in September through a PocketFives promotion was great and really helped me analyze my play. I think the HUD allows me to make some moves I would not be making without it, but I think what is more important is being able to see all of your results and statistics.

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

Jimmy Reyes: Out of my hobbies, poker is actually one of the least important things in my life. I briefly contemplated the life of a professional poker player and came to the conclusion that I would not be fulfilled emotionally and spiritually if all I did was play poker for a living.

I am currently studying Cello Performance and Music Education at Rutgers’ Mason Gross School of the Arts after previously attending McGill University for a BS in Physiology. I maintain a private studio of cello students and freelance in gigs around New Jersey and New York. Performing and teaching cello to children is my main passion and fortunately poker provides some extra income for me to comfortably pursue my passions.