With regards to star energy, the poker world hasn’t attracted many gamers extra well-known than actor and comic Jason Alexander, who’s most acknowledged as George from one in all TV’s best comedies – Seinfeld.
Alexander has been recognized to enterprise into the poker world when he isn’t busy together with his profession. He’s competed within the World Sequence of Poker (WSOP) Essential Occasion a number of occasions and is a spokesman for the free-to-play WSOP App.
“I’ve been taking part in poker since I used to be 15, however I didn’t begin actually studying the sport till the late 90s or early 2000s,” Alexander just lately informed PokerNews. “I didn’t begin taking part in in precise tournaments till 2010, however I’ve liked the sport and the group ever since. I feel most actors study the sport a method or one other – there’s a lot downtime while you’re in a rehearsal for a present or on a TV set. However I had by no means performed maintain’em till the Celeb Poker Showdown began on TV on Bravo.”
In 2005, Alexander gained the Celeb Poker Showdown Season 5 Recreation 2 at a desk that included Nicholas Gonzalez, Mary McCormack, Allison Janney, and SNL alum Chris Kattan. That obtained him a seat into the Season 5 Championship Recreation the place he completed in fifth place. His fellow comedic TV star Brad Garrett ended up profitable it for $100,000.
“Play the participant, not the playing cards,” Alexander mentioned when requested about the very best poker recommendation he’s ever obtained. “That recommendation reworked how I approached the sport. Poker is not nearly having a very good hand; it is about understanding your opponents—how they assume, their mannerisms, and the best way to exploit these patterns. It made me notice the sport is absolutely performed between the ears and the eyes, not simply on the felt.
He added: “I’ve loads of poker suggestions and tips which have helped me through the years. My largest tip for a newbie is to know when to throw within the towel – acknowledge that folding is a strategic transfer, not an indication of weak point. Do not let pleasure or attachment to a hand cloud your judgment. If the chances are in opposition to you, and the potential dangers outweigh the rewards, be prepared to fold.”
Alexander truly shared six suggestions he has for starting poker gamers:
“I want I’d have began taking part in the WSOP free-to-play app sooner in my profession because it’s a good way to study and observe in opposition to actual poker professionals, with out all of the stakes,” Alexander defined. “Every opponent is exclusive, bringing their very own set of expertise, quirks, and methods to the desk, and taking part in in opposition to a wide range of actual individuals gives a steady studying expertise, serving to you enhance your total poker expertise over time.”
Alexander, who mentioned his least favourite hand is Ace-Queen as “it seems to be robust however typically will get you into hassle,” additionally shared with PokerNews one of many extra memorable arms he’s ever performed.
Throughout one in all my runs on the WSOP Essential Occasion I obtained concerned in a hand I in all probability shouldn’t have been in. In center place, I get up with 5x5x. Preflop there are a number of folds. I name however there’s a elevate in late place, known as by the small blind, which occurs to be a big poker professional. I make the decision and the flop comes Jx7x2x rainbow. Professional makes a wager of about half pot. Stupidly, I name and the third participant folds so I’m heads up. The flip is a 10x. Professional makes an enormous wager. If I name it’s about half my remaining chips. Typically, you simply get a sense.
My feeling was two-fold. First, I believed they didn’t have their hand and had been working towards a straight. Second, I felt in each fiber of my being that one other 5x was coming. Realizing I used to be a useless man, I made the decision. And certain sufficient – the river is my third 5x. I hit the journeys and I can’t see a means he has his straight. He makes a wager for greater than half of what I’ve left which would go away me crippled if I’m unsuitable. I name, somewhat than elevate.
We reveal. He solely has a pair of jacks. I’ve the hand and a livid professional who can’t fathom why I made the calls. I readily admitted it was simply hope-and-pray taking part in that my instinct was price it. I truly apologized for enjoying like a schmo. I obtained fortunate. Typically, it really works.
As for his future poker plans, don’t be stunned to see Alexander this summer season on the 2025 WSOP, which is able to run from Might 27 to July 16.
“I truly obtained to see a little bit of the World Sequence of Poker through the WSOP App’s VIP occasion in Las Vegas this previous summer season, which was a extremely enjoyable second for me,” he mentioned. “I hope to be concerned in additional enjoyable occasions, each on the desk and on the app, in 2025.”
Chad Holloway
PR & Media Supervisor
