James Gibson Van Alstyne (born 1966 in Columbus, Georgia) is an American professional poker player based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Van Alstyne grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, and he graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School. After high school, Van Alstyne attended Stanford University, where 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.