Online Poker in PA Allows Justin "CoachJR" Renna to Chase WSOP Dream
Throughout the WSOP Pennsylvania, PokerNews will profile several grinders in the Keystone State competing for WSOP glory.
One of them is Justin "CoachJR" Renna, 39, who was born and raised in New Yor but is in Pennsylvania to try his hand at winning a bracelet.
Renna, a high school football & track coach as well as an HVAC sales manager, is married to his wife, Randie, with whom he shared two kids (Lia turning 11 this Friday and Jackson, 8).
"My family is my world, and they allow me to follow my dreams including chasing a WSOP bracelet," Renna told PokerNews.
Renna started to play poker when he was just nine years old after his grandparents taught him how to play. When he was 19 years old, he played his first Texas hold'em tournament and promptly won it. Nowadays, he plays semi-professional poker grinding exclusively MTT’s online, mainly mid to high stakes $16.50-$215.
"I play online but also spend a lot of time at local Casinos, my favorite being the Borgata. I have had great success both online and live and looking to continue to grow as a poker player," he said. "Spending my entire career in the air conditioning industry, I have never been able to make it to the WSOP in Vegas due to it taking place during my busiest time at work (the summer). The online WSOP events this year, especially the PA events, allows me to get a taste of the WSOP without having to travel during the Summer. If things go well, I might be able to make it to the WSOP this November."
He added: "I think it's amazing being able to add regulated poker sites including WSOP to Pennsylvania. It is amazing for the entire poker community. As more and more states open up regulated poker, it will allow grinders all over the US to compete against the best in the world. For me, having my father live in Pennsylvania will allow me to play all the big tournaments in the Keystone State."
PokerNews will keep an eye on Renna as he competes in the first-ever WSOP Pennsylvania.
