Since PokerStarsNJ was first introduced to the New Jersey online poker scene, there has been a considerable effort made by the site to offer online championship serie’s in the state similar to what is offered on its worldwide client. The limitations on the population in New Jersey make it difficult to draw a player pool the size of the SCOOP or WCOOP but nonetheless, the NJCOOP series in October was considered a success by many.

The NJCOOP Main Event brought together a field of 425 of the state’s finest to compete for a $200,000 guaranteed prize pool and in the end it was New Jersey’s own Jesse ‘No_Xcape’ Elliott who won the event. On his path to victory, Elliott defeated the likes of Darren ‘oldmoneyd’ Elias to claim victory and the $38,000 first place prize.

That win wasn’t the only victory for Elliott during NJCOOP, as he beat Chris Moneymaker heads up to win the “Sunday Special” for nearly $18,000 more. Elliott says the win versus Moneymaker helped to raise his confidence and overall, he enjoyed the experience of playing with top professionals.

“(My) confidence was raised after beating Chris Moneymaker just the week before and then going on to outlast the man, Darren Elias, and Victor Ramdin at the final table of the NJCOOP Main Event. (I) also had the chance to play with Elias during the Stars Festival at Resorts for the main event. We both went deep in that event but didn’t make the final table.”

Elliott dabbles in live tournament play when his schedule allows for but with the sizable five-figure score added to his bankroll, is looking to play more than he has in the past.

“The win has granted me the ability to play more live events. If you look at my Hendon Mob it’s rather sad [laughs]. It’s rare when I get to play decent live events because I have three kids at home. It honestly sucks because I would love to travel the USA to get some nice scores but on the same note, I wouldn’t trade the kids for it. So, I’ll have to find some live events that fit my schedule.”

True to his word, Elliott is playing more live and has a few cashes to back up the added volume. Elliott made the final two tables in the PokerStars Festival New JerseyMain Event and has scores from the 2016 Borgata Fall Poker Open and the recently completed Parx Big Stax XX series.

He may not be widely recognized by his face when he plays live, but Elliott can generally be found wearing his UFC hat that allows his love for mixed martial arts to shine through. Elliott’s online screen names reflect famed MMA fighter Ronda Rousey along with the film, “No Xcape.” Like many in poker, Elliott is a fan of the competitive aspect of the game that incidentally ties in with the sport he found by accident.

“I didn’t get into UFC until around 2010. I was at a house party and playing beer bong and some kid kept saying ‘Let’s go GSP (Georges St. Pierre).’ ‘I was like who the hell is GSP?’ And when I Googled it I noticed that there was a resemblance and that got me into watching the sport. Keep in mind this is when I weighed a tad bit less [laughs],” said Elliott “Like many of the poker guys, I’m trying to get back in shape but like poker, it’s a grind. A UFC fight is like the final table of any tournament. Only one of us is going to come out alive and that competitiveness what drives me.”

As the year moves forward and more live main events crop up, Elliott has a goal in mind of playing in some of the events available but is keeping is his primary focus on beating New Jersey’s best on a nightly basis.

“My focus is to accomplish the most that I can within my bankroll. I’m not a fan of backing so I must make sure to use my money wisely and really focus on game selection especially online in NJ. Almost every night you’re playing against the best kids in the state. I don’t think these guys get enough credit,” said Elliott. “I’m hoping to satty into the WSOP (Circuit) main at Harrah’s via online [and] I keep trying to win the Sunday $40k on Borgata as well so I can get a Spring Championship seat, which would be awesome.”