PocketFives had the opportunity to sit down with Edward Eddiegood86 Espino (pictured, ranked 56th in New Jersey), who started out in the professional video gaming world and quickly transitioned over to playing poker. He would spend endless nights playing cash games, which usually ended in losing sessions, but he used his drive and determination to keep motivating himself to get better at the game.

With over $144,000 in tracked online cashes, his bread and butter tournament is the 888 PokerBig Sunday $10,000 Guarantee where he has two wins, a second and a third for a total of $10,589. Visit PocketFives’ New Jersey poker community for the latest news and discussion from New Jersey players.

PocketFives: How did you get started in poker originally?

Edward Espino: I use to play video games for a living, fighting games such as Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and Tekken. I would be at my local arcade on a daily basis. One day, kids went over to play poker over someone’s house. I had never touched cards before that day and after four hours of playing 25/50 cent No Limit Hold’em, I was hooked. I then was donating all of my paychecks to these guys for maybe six months. I sure wish I knew bankroll management then!

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

Edward Espino: 888 Poker! I never have had anything negative to say about them except one issue, but that was partially my fault. I’m not a big fan of rebuy tournaments, but they do have ways to get into their Sunday main event for $1! I find that hard to beat. The other sites don’t have satellites like that on a daily basis. I don’t even want to get started on other sites’ customer support.

PocketFives: What has been your most memorable cash or win on the New Jersey sites?

Edward Espino: The Big Sunday $10,000 Guarantee on 888. Over Labor Day weekend of 2014, I took it down for $4,225. I didn’t believe it at first because I had not made a score like that in maybe four years. The following week, I took second in the same tournament. The week after that, I took third. This tournament I want to say I take great pride in. It brought me back to life in the poker world.

PocketFives: How many hours do you dedicate to poker a week?

Edward Espino: As much as I can. I would play all seven days a week if I felt up to it. However, I won’t force myself to play anymore. The regulars I see online are on every day. Much respect to them, but I need at least one day of rest when I get two-outed five times in a span of three hours. It’s not always fun and definitely can kick your momentum down. The next two months is all poker every day until a six- or decent five-figure hit is done. WSOP in Vegas is the best time to make money for any player.

PocketFives: Is there anyone who helped change how you approach the game of poker?

Edward Espino: Yes, losing! I don’t remember where I read or heard it from, but the words were “In order to learn to win a lot, you must learn to lose a lot.” Sadly enough, that made sense to me. I have definitely lost hundreds or possibly thousands in my teen years. As far as anyone helping me, yes. Everyone comes across plenty of great players. I just try to absorb their profitable features and blend them in with my game.

PocketFives: What do you do away from poker?

Edward Espino: I hang out with my friends from grade school. I’ve known them for over 20 years and none of them plays poker, so it’s great. They know nothing of the game and I don’t have to hear some poker terminology or joke about a bad beat story every five minutes. Besides that, I am trying to map out a list of places to travel to. I do, however, need to make a big score to make this happen. I know it’s all in due time.