While the Copa America occupies the sporting screens of the Americas this month, nations of the poker world will come together in New Jersey for the Americas Cup of Poker.

This year the contest has a special look, celebrating the doors opening to online poker within the Garden State. While there'll be teams from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela and the remainder of"" LATAM, particular attention will gall on Team USA, qualifying online for the primary time since Black Friday. 

It all starts today at Resorts Casino in Atlantic City, with a chain of Sit & Go's between members of every team culminating in heads-up matches tomorrow to figure out the general result. 

We took a better take a look at the U.S. team, an eclectic bunch with various poker experience: 

Robert "s.l. halper" TaylorFrederick "Scooby-D0O" Ferrell JrAnthony "pokerkingBx" GarciaBrian "s3lfreliance" WoodRyan Woods

Like Robert Taylor, a graduate of nearby Princeton and now an authorized Civil Trial Attorney. He's been playing poker with family since he was five. 

"Our holiday party is the once a year Festivus tournament," he said, "an all-night poker tournament that may be in its second decade."

He began playing poker online in 2005, turning $100 right into a part0time poker career that helped him pay his way while working in a law business, and serving as a councilman, before opting to play full time in 2009. 

"I thoroughly enjoyed the liberty of playing poker full time and got a well-needed break from the pains of the legal world."

In 2011 he went back to law, putting in his own practice in Union, New Jersey. "I intended to practice law and play poker equally, but Black Friday temporarily closed off that possibility."

Then a second chance. 

Online poker returned to New Jersey, and prefer many players, Taylor walked back into the sunshine. For Taylor was an opportunity to play cards again or even pay a couple of bills, let alone vacations with friends. 

That would come with the ACP. 

Freddy Ferrell is another professional player. Aged 29, and referred to as Scooby-D0O on PokerStars NJ, he's been playing professionally for 3 years, and while he calls his live poker experience "modest", he still has greater than $42,000 in earnings to turn for it. 

"I love poker such a lot as it gives me an overly flexible life-style and likewise allows me to be the most productive father I WILL be."

"When I examine the PokerStars NJ SCOOP schedule, me and some friends made a raffle on who was going to do the most efficient within the leader board. When I heard about what the leader board prize was, they gave me probably the most motivation I'VE ever experienced.  

"Poker is my life in the intervening time and that i really can't complain about the way it has treated me." 

Since PokerStars returned to NJ Ferrell was making up for lost time, cashing for greater than $85,000 and finishing second at the MTT leader board within the first month. Last month he finished first. That and his NJSCOOP leader board finish earned him his place on Team USA.

A philosophy and government major at Georgetown University and a graduate of Harvard Law, Brian Wood may be a lovely decent poker player. 

"I always enjoyed games growing up. Once I found poker in high school, instantly I loved it.  The prospect of playing a game and with the ability to profit in response to my skill level kept me consistently intrigued."

Wood played online during breaks in college and law school, playing tournaments, but now, juggling work commitments, he's more of a cash player.

But while for some people poker becomes their central preoccupation, it's clearly only a pastime for Wood, whose obsession lies elsewhere. 

He's the co-founder of a company called ThinkerAnalytix, which aims to equip students with fundamental reasoning skills to assist them thrive of their academic, professional and private lives. 

More recently he was engaged on issues associated with preventing child abuse. 

"I plan on dedicating a big a part of my career to providing resources for many who are survivors of kid abuse and ensuring that each child is protected against the trauma of emotional, physical and sexual abuse."

This weekend though his attention can be back on poker, a lucrative hobby as much as now.

"It's an enchanting game psychologically and strategically. I BELIEVE lucky to give you the chance to symbolize the U.S. on the America's Cup."

Ryan Woods is from South Plainfield, New Jersey. The 29 year old is a plumber by trade, but combines that with what he calls "an extreme love for the game!" 

Woods won his place within the team within the Americas Cup of Poker Freeroll tournament, outlasting nearly 1,200 players. 

"I am very excited, and honoured to be playing on this tournament and representing Team USA. 

That Woods beat 1,200 players was quite something. But really, he beat 1.2 million players. That's what number of entered the competition, to become a part of their nation team and head to New Jersey this weekend to play. 

For the winners some $30,000 to share between them and, consistent with the sporting season, tickets to the Copa America final, to be played on Sunday between Argentina, and Chile on the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.  

It's all to play for. Check back at the PokerStars Blog on Monday to peer how things turn out. 

Stephen Bartley is a staff writer for the PokerStars Blog.

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