Making his debut in the Online Poker Rankings this week was none other than James croll103 Carroll. A Massachusetts native, Carroll entered at #85 worldwide on the strength of a final table appearance in the PokerStars Super Tuesday on October 20th and a win in the Full Tilt Poker $75,000 Guaranteed one month earlier. The two cashes accounted for $35,000 of his online poker bankroll and helped him earn the respect of his peers. Carroll lays claim to the 76th best PLB Score in the Rankings and was thrilled to be a part of the leaderboard.

On his big debut, Carroll told PocketFives.com, “It feels good and it’s been a goal of mine for a while. I really think I’ve improved my game over the last couple of months. I’ve surrounded myself with some good poker minds and seeing different people’s views on the game has helped me fine-tune mine.” He captured third place in an event held during the quarterly Full Tilt Online Poker Series (FTOPS) in August for $42,000 and won the Daily Eighty Grand on PokerStars on the first day of that month for $17,000.
The industry has taken notice of his mountain of online poker final table appearances. Carroll noted, “It definitely feels good to break through in some of the larger multi-table tournaments. I’m still looking for that first six-figure score, but hopefully it will come soon.” He added that the FTOPS final table effort was his most meaningful cash to date, as his bankroll was suffering and $42,000 provided a much-needed cash windfall.

Carroll began his poker journey by playing in $5 and $10 home games before finally deciding to deposit money into cyberspace. He admitted that the seas were rough at first and “it wasn’t until around this time last year that I started taking the game more seriously. I realized that I could do this for a living.” Consequently, he’s been a professional poker player ever since and finds himself in talented company in the Rankings. In fact, he sits sandwiched between Phil USCphildo Collins (#84 worldwide, pictured at left) and Stian JohnnyBelow Stabell (#86).

Carroll was working as a waiter at a restaurant in Boston, Massachusetts when fellow PocketFives.com member Ryan gutshtallin Welch (pictured at right) approached him offering a backing deal. He worked and played poker on the side until December of 2008, when he finally elected to dump his gig as a server altogether. On how his confidants took the news that he was pursuing poker full-time, Carroll recalled, “My parents weren’t really supportive at first, but they are starting to come around now that I’ve had some success. Since becoming a pro, I’ve met some great players that have really helped me get to where I’m at today.”

Who has been influential on his game? As you’d probably expect, Welch headlines the list of those who have made an indelible impact. Carroll also wanted to recognize I Spew Chips, YanniYankievich (his roommate), Michael benvo123 Benvenuti, Eric highlite11 Nagel, Blueberleez, Ultimate Bet pro Billy Patrolman35 Kopp (pictured at left), Carter ckingusc King, Dan USCswimmer White, and “everyone else that has helped me get to where I’m at today.”

Finally, we asked Carroll what aspects of his game he’s still working to improve. After all, when you crack the Rankings, the urge to coast may set in for some, but not Carroll. He confidently explained, “Every aspect. If you’re not always trying to improve your game, then you shouldn’t be playing poker professionally.” His hard work has paid off and Carroll sits in second in the Sliding PLB for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, trailing only James P0KERPR033 Campbell:



Congratulations from all of us to Carroll for emerging in the Rankings this week. Check out who else is making moves by visiting the PocketFives.com Online Poker Rankings.