PokerWorks

After graduating from Yale University with a degree in Economics and Mathematics in 2004, Alex Jacob went on to devote much of his time to tournament poker. He spends most of his days on the road traveling to the next event. His commitment to the game has shown results in the form of over two million dollars in worldwide cashes.

Alex had one of his biggest years early into his career in 2006. First he took second in the World Poker Tour Foxwoods’ event cashing in for $655,507. Then he made two final tables at the World Series of Poker. Then less than three months later he booked a win at the U.S. Poker Championship for an $878,500 payday.

KL: Where were you born?

Alex: I was born in Texas. I am from south Florida originally.

KL: Where are you living now?

Alex: I am living in NYC and I was living in Vegas before that.

KL: How did you end up playing poker?

Alex: The standard, Rounders came out and everyone was really into it. I was playing a lot in high school and stuff like that. Started playing a lot more in college in home games and online. I just kind of built up a bankroll, I kept playing and I would go home to Florida to play on casino boats back there, just kept building. Eventually I had enough to start going to the bigger tournaments, I would go overseas to Monte Carlo, Vienna, stuff like that. I got some tournament experience and was lucky enough to hit a big score pretty early at Foxwoods. That was probably my sixth or seventh tournament. I was lucky enough to break through and have the bankroll to play as many of these as I wanted.

KL: How many tournaments would you say you play in a year?

Alex: I play a few smaller events and most of the majors. I play a lot, maybe fifteen to twenty events a year.

KL: Do you have a group of poker friends that are on the road with you that you hang out with?

Alex: Yeah, I hang around with a lot of different people. Shane Schleger, Jordan Morgan, and a bunch of guys like that. Most people are nice enough and cool to hang around.

KL: Do you guys talk a lot of poker?

Alex: Some here and there. Some people talk more than others. I listen more than I talk especially because people get tired of bad beat stories!

KL: Do you play online now?

Alex: I don’t play online too much now; I mostly stick to playing the big live events. I’m not affiliated with any specific site.

KL: Do you play cash games?

Alex: Sometimes, not that much. I really spend most of my time playing the tournament circuit.