James Van Alstyne

Who is James Van Alstyne?

James Gibson Van Alstyne is an American professional poker player based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Van Alstyne grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana and graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School. After high school, Van Alstyne attended Stanford University, where—among other things—he learned to play poker.

Van Alstyne was formerly employed as an engineer before becoming a professional blackjack player, using card-counting techniques to give himself an edge. He wears a baseball cap to disguise himself from casino security, and continues to wear the cap whilst playing poker.

Van Alstyne made three money finishes in Omaha poker tournaments at the World Series of Poker between 1994 and 1998. In 1999, he made his first money finish in the WSOP $10,000 no limit Texas hold 'em main event, finishing in 16th place.

In between 1999 and 2004, Van Alstyne moved away from poker, but lost over a million dollars on the stock market in the process.

In October 2004, Van Alstyne won the WPPA Championships of Poker, defeating a field that included Juan Carlos Mortensen and Kathy Liebert on the way to the $125,520 first prize.