Erick Lindgren, known in the poker world as “E-Dog,” is one of the most recognizable figures in the modern poker era. Once a fixture in the golden age of televised poker, Lindgren’s career has been a rollercoaster of massive wins, public setbacks, and resilient comebacks. With over $11 million in live tournament earnings and two World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets to his name, his story is a fascinating blend of triumph, controversy, and redemption.
Early Life and Introduction to Poker
Born on August 11, 1976, in Burney, California, Erick Lindgren was raised in a modest household. Competitive and athletic by nature, he captained both his high school basketball and football teams, showcasing not only his leadership qualities but also his intense drive to succeed.
Lindgren discovered poker during his college years, while working part-time as a blackjack dealer at a casino near his school. It was there that he was introduced to No-Limit Texas Hold’em, which would soon become his lifelong passion. In 2002, he made the pivotal decision to move to Las Vegas to pursue poker professionally—a move that paid off handsomely.
Poker Career Highlights and Winnings
Lindgren’s first recorded tournament cash came in San Pablo, California, where he won the Wild Wild West $120 NLH tournament for $7,300. His breakout year, however, was 2002, when he won the Bellagio Five Diamond Poker Classic $3,000 Main Event for a life-changing $228,192.
In 2003, he claimed his first major title, winning the Ultimate Bet Poker Classic $4,000 WPT Championship for $500,000. He followed this in 2004 by taking down the PartyPoker Million III $7,000 Limit Hold’em Championship, earning a $1 million payday.
In 2005, Lindgren came close to WSOP gold, finishing runner-up in the $10,000 WSOP Circuit Championship in Atlantic City, earning $430,521. He also final-tabled the LA Poker Classic and won the PPT NLH event there for an additional $225,000.
He kicked off 2006 with a 3rd place finish at the WPT Borgata Winter Open and a win at the Five-Star World Poker Classic for $261,555. That same year, he won the $120,000 buy-in Super High Roller at the Full Tilt Poker Showdown for $600,000 and finished second in the WSOP $5K Short-Handed NLH, earning $357,435.
Lindgren’s momentum continued in 2007 with a victory at the Aussie Millions A$100K Challenge, bringing in $795,279. In 2008, he finally earned his first WSOP bracelet in the $5K No-Limit Hold’em event for $374,505 and followed it with a deep run in the $50K H.O.R.S.E. event, taking home $781,440.
In 2011, he placed 2nd in the Five-Star World Poker Classic $100K Super High Roller for $700,000, and in 2013, he was runner-up in the $25K WPT World Championship, earning $650,275. That summer, he claimed his second WSOP bracelet by winning the $5K No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed event for $606,317.
While personal and financial issues slowed his momentum, Lindgren still managed to cash in multiple WSOP events between 2015 and 2023. His most notable 2024 result was a 21st-place finish in the $25K WSOP PLO High Roller for $85,519. He also took down the $800 PLO Mystery Bounty at ARIA Las Vegas for $18,270.
Erick Lindgren’s Comeback
Lindgren made headlines in April 2025 with a triumphant return, winning a $25K satellite to earn a seat at Hustler Casino’s Million Dollar Game. Competing against stars like Alan Keating and Nick Airball, Lindgren finished with a $283,000 profit, marking a strong comeback and signaling he still has the dog in him to compete at the highest levels.
Net Worth in 2025
As of 2025, Erick Lindgren’s lifetime live tournament earnings exceed $11 million across 179 cashes. While there are no official figures, his net worth is estimated at approximately $1 million, derived from tournament winnings and private cash games.
Controversy and Personal Struggles
Despite his immense poker talent, Lindgren’s career was marred by financial troubles largely stemming from a gambling addiction, particularly sports betting. In 2015, he filed for bankruptcy with over $10 million in debt and less than $50,000 in assets. He previously entered rehab in 2012 for problem gambling, a decision that underscored the severity of his struggles.
These issues halted the trajectory of his once-smooth rise in the poker world, forcing him into a difficult period of rebuilding both financially and personally.
Personal Life
Erick Lindgren married fellow poker pro Erica Schoenberg in 2011. The couple had one child before divorcing in 2014. Lindgren’s personal experiences, both uplifting and challenging, have shaped him into a complex and compelling figure in the poker world.
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