2013 apparently isn't the Summer of George.
"Seinfeld" actor Jason Alexander agreed to write a first-person account of his experience at the World Series of Poker's main event for SI.com. Then, he lost in the first round.
Alexander, who played "George Costanza" on the 1990s sitcom starring Jerry Seinfeld, has played for years, he wrote during his account, though he doesn't consider himself any sort of expert.
He says he doesn't always know whether he's at the same table with a professional player, and most other players shout "Seinfeld" references toward him.
Alexander, however, said he has formed friendship with some of the better poker players in the world by virtue of his fame.
He said he played professional player Huck Seed during an NBC-sponsored poker tournament and told Seed of his plans to play up their competition. Alexander wrote that he told Seed to tell him if he was getting out of hand or being disrespectful.
Alexander wrote that Seed was impressed, and soon several professional players took Alexander into their inner circle.
"I've actually had coaching sessions with Phil Hellmuth, Annie Duke, and (Joe) Hachem, and I've picked up a lot through casual conversations with other pros," Alexander said. "You can learn so much just by talking through a hand with somebody and having them strategize it in hindsight. Also, I'm not a math player-I can't crunch the odds-so they've been great about giving me tips on how to do the more remedial math."
The tutelage, however, did not help Alexander during Tuesday's first day.
Alexander reported that he kept losing to players drawing flushes, which cut into his stack until he went all in with a king and jack of the same suit for about $8,000 and lost the hand.
"It was an incredibly frustrating day," Alexander reported. "It's one thing to play dumb poker and get killed. But playing good hands responsibly and getting repeatedly killed-it sucks. I don't ever expect to win this event. My goal is simply to improve. I am sponsored by a good company and want to do well by them. Alas. Poker is just a hobby I'm passionate about. It's not supposed to bring glory. But oh, that damned dream.
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