PocketFives caught up with Monroe resident and poker player Ruslan Apoch Allakhveranov (pictured), who has been playing poker since he was 15 and is happy that there is regulated poker in New Jersey. Allakhveranov and his sister once rented out office space in New Jersey to grind online while still living in New York, but now that he lives in the Garden State, he can grind anytime he pleases.

With over $44,000 in tracked online cashes, some of his accomplishments include a win in the 888 Poker/WSOP $10,000 guarantee, second place in the network’s $5,000 Guarantee, and two wins in the Ultimate Poker $5,000 Guarantee. Visit PocketFives’ New Jersey poker community for the latest news and discussion from New Jersey players.

PocketFives: How did you start playing online poker?

Ruslan Allakhveranov: When I was 15 years old, I came across one of the PokerStars TV shows and got hooked on the game right away.

PocketFives: Is there any meaning behind your screen name?

Ruslan Allakhveranov: In my childhood years, my friends called me “apach,” or little Indian boy, because of my looks. So, the nickname has a nostalgic meaning.

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

Ruslan Allakhveranov: I play on all three sites. So far, I like all of them. Each offers its own selection of good tournaments. However, for my style of play, PartyPokerand 888 Poker fit better because of the freezeout option and tournament structures. I’m very happy that we finally have a chance to play online in the US and, of course like most people in our poker community, I’m excited about possibility of PokerStars returning to the US market.

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

Ruslan Allakhveranov: The most memorable for me was when online poker was just legalized in New Jersey and my sister and I rented office space in New Jersey specifically to play online poker. At the time, I lived in New York, ran a restaurant business, and we played on Ultimate Poker. Entry to a tournament called the Holiday Thousandaire that was a $1 buy-in with $1,000 for first place and $25 for second. I ended up winning the tournament. It was one of my first online cashes in online poker in the US and it was a cool feeling to make $1,000 out of a $1 buy-in.

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

Ruslan Allakhveranov: I watched lots of videos on RunItOnce.com and replays of poker tournaments on PokerStars, but I would say the most influential person is Paul Senter, who is one of the RunItOnce coaches. I think the way he understands the game is extraordinary and I learned a lot from him.

PocketFives: Do you play any live poker?

Ruslan Allakhveranov: I play live few times a month, usually at Borgata or Parx, but my favorite for sure is Borgata. I prefer to play deep structure tournaments, specifically six-max.