Erik Seidel is one of the game’s oldest and most successful poker players. The 64-year-old who started his poker career in the late 80s was able to adapt to the game when most players his age failed to stand out in the current generation of poker. He has won an impressive 10 WSOP bracelets and was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2010. In this report we will delve into Erik Seidel’s early career, his professional poker career, and winnings.
Erik Seidel’s Early Life – From Wall Street to Poker
Eric Seidel was born on November 6, 1959, in New York City, New York. Seidel’s journey of playing poker is more fascinating than other poker players. After graduating from Brooklyn College, he joined the now-legendary Mayfair Club, where he began his journey as a backgammon player.
At that time, Backgammon was another game to make money from, and Mayfair Club played a pivotal role in honing the skills of both poker and Backgammon players.
While playing at the club, he saw several successful backgammon pros making money from trading at PaineWebber. With the help from the players, he joined PaineWebber and worked there for 18 months, and then joined Amex.
Amex wasn’t very lucky for Seidel due to the stock market crash in 1987, and he was back at the club. Some Mayfair Club players later convinced him to try his luck in Poker, beginning his poker career.
Mayfair Club was the hub for poker pros then, and several players were part of the club, which helped Seidel learn poker from the likes of Dan Harrington and Howard Lederer.
Erik Seidel Professional Poker Career
As per Hendon Mob, Seidel appeared in his first live poker event in 1988. Where he finishes as the runner-up in the 19th World Series of Poker $10,000 buy-in Main Event, losing to Johnny Chan in the heads-up battle, earning $280,000. The final hand between Chan and Seidel was featured in 1998’s Matt Damon starring movie Rounders.
In 1988, he won his first live event in the $1,000 buy-in NLHE beating Phill Hellmuth in the heads-up for earning $144,000.
Erik Seidel is a ten-time bracelet winner. In 1992, he won his first World Series of Poker Bracelet in the $2,500 buy-in Limit Hold’em, earning $168,000. He then went on to win three more bracelets that decade — 1993’s $2.5k Omaha 8 or Better ($94,000), 1994’s $5k Limit Hold’em ($210,000), and 1998’s $5k Deuce to Seven Draw ($132,750).
Seidel later added 4 bracelets by the end of 2010, with two of his latest victories in the 2021 WSOP Online and 2023. His biggest-ever WSOP top prize came in 2023 when he outlasted a field of 137 entries to secure his 10th bracelet and staggering prize money of $1,704,400.
His first biggest-ever top prize yet came at the $250,009 Super High Roller NLHE event during the 2011 Aussie Millions Poker Championship, earning $2,472,555.
In his 36-year-old career, Seidel has achieved several accolades and achievements in live tournaments, currently sitting at live tournament earnings of $46 million. Due to his dominance and contributions to the game, he was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2010.
He currently ranks 3rd for the most World Series of Poker bracelet wins, following Phill Hellmuth in first place with 17 bracelets and Phil Ivey in second place with 11 bracelets. While Seidel holds the same number of bracelets as Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson, he is in 3rd place due to his WSOP winnings.
Erik Seidel’s 5 Biggest Win Till Now –
- 2011 – A$250,000 Super High Roller NLHE at Aussie Millions Poker Championship – $2,472,555
- 2016 – $300,000 Super High Roller NLHE at Super High Roller Bowl – $2,400,000
- 2015 – €100,000 Super High Roller NLHE at EPT Monte Carlo – $2,222,222
- 2023 – $52,000 Super High Roller NLHE at WSOP Paradise Island – $1,704,400
- 2022 – €100,000 Super High Roller NLHE at EPT Barcelona – $1,320,344
Erik Seidel’s Net Worth & Performance At WSOP 2024
Erik Seidel’s total net worth is estimated to be more than $46 million. This is why he is currently in 10th place in Hendon Mob’s all-time money list, and he is known as one of the richest poker players in the world.
He was previously part of the Team Full Tilt, the company that owed over $300 million from its online players. As per reports, he wasn’t part of the management team but rather was a sponsored player. Seidel even called out the company.
He is currently taking part in WSOP 2024 and has already cashed an impressive six events, with his best cash being a 23rd place finish for $64,249 in the WSOP Event #21: $25,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em (6-Handed), Most recently, he cashed WSOP 2024 Main Event, finishing 1369th for $15,000. After the latest cash, he has now $9,659,561 in total WSOP earnings
Erik Seidel’s Personal Life
Erik Seidel married his girlfriend Ruah in the early 1990s and moved from New York to Las Vegas after his poker fame. The couple has two daughters, Elian and Jamesin.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. While we strive to present accurate and up-to-date information, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any data, facts, or figures mentioned. Readers are advised to verify any information and use their discretion before making any decisions or judgments based on the content of this article.
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