Eric Seidel 

Description:

Another backgammon turned poker professional, Erik Seidel was born and raised in New York City. He played on the backgammon circuit and then went on to trade stocks on Wall Street. He continued to play poker on the side and found that he had a knack for the game. He moved to Las Vegas to play poker on a professional level and now trades stocks on the side.

He enjoys playing tennis and listening to music and one of his biggest claims to fame was his part in the movie Rounders where he lost the last hand of the 1988 World Series of Poker tournament to Johnny Chan. Of course, since then, he's gone on to win eight of those coveted World Series of Poker bracelets with forty-eight cash finishes.

It's not surprising to note that with his New York upbringing Seidel was one of the many players at the Mayfair Club to go on to poker fame, joining Howard Lederer and Dan Harrington in the many winner's circles.

Aggressiveness:

Seidel is a patient player who likes to keep his cards close to the vest. Literally. He has been known to hide his hole cards from the cameras at the many different tournaments he has participated in. He is a fairly aggressive and moderately loose player who is able to shape his game to each individual one he is involved in, able to change his strategy when called for. His best game is Texas Hold'em and he admits that stud games are his weakest. He is also a very respectful player no matter whether he wins or loses.

Experience:

Seidel's experience comes from being one of the Mayfair Club players and his concentration on tournaments more than cash games has made him a force to be reckoned with on the tournament circuit. He plays exclusively on Full Tile Poker and since beginning his poker career he has become the only player to make the top ten All-Time money lists at the Bellagio and on the World Series of Poker tour.

Tournament Play:

Erick Seidel enjoys tournament play through the World Poker Tour and the World Series of Poker events. He has won over five million dollars at the World Series of Poker tables and his cash game wins numbers in the millions as well. He currently has eight of the World Series of Poker bracelets to his name in a variety of poker styles including Texas Hold'em, Omaha 8, Deuce to Seven Draw, No Limit, and Pot Limit Omaha. He has sat at the final table of the World Poker Tour with eleven cash finishes but no wins.

Cash Game Play:

Erik's cash game play is done on Full Tile Poker who sponsors him as well as playing at the Bellagio against other professional players such as Phil Ivey and Gus Hansen. He has also been a competitor on the popular NBC television show 'Poker After Dark'. Anyone wishing to go head to head against this poker shark can do so by playing at the online poker room Full Tilt Poker where he maintains his own poker room.
Winnings:

Quiet and pensive, a very unobtrusive player, Erik Seidel's winnings are very impressive. Here is a brief overview of his major wins since he started playing.

• 38th Annual World Series of Poker - Event #54 - WSOP No Limit Deuce to Seven - Lowball World Championship - 07/04/07 - $538,835
  
• 36th Annual World Series of Poker - Event #9 - WSOP No Limit Hold'em - 06/10/05 - $611,795
  
• 2004 Festa al Lago III /Doyle Brunson North American Poker Championship - WPT Event Season 3 - No Limit Hold'em - 10/17/04 - $217,839
• 2004 Plaza Ultimate Poker Challenge No Limit Hold'em - 08/22/04 - $8,000
  
• Festa al Lago II - No Limit Hold'em - 06/30/04 - $175,347
  
• 2003 Five Diamond - WPT Season 2 - Pot Limit Omaha - 12/13/03 - $95,059
  
• 34th Annual World Series of Poker - Event #8 - WSOP Pot Limit Omaha - 04/22/03 - $146,100
  
• Hall of Fame Poker Classic - Event #5 - Pot Limit Hold'em - 09/01/02 - $20,300
  
• Mixed Games Tournament (3 Day Event) - No Limit Hold'em - 07/25/02 - $45,832
  
• 32nd Annual World Series of Poker - Event #22 - WSOP No Limit Hold'em - 05/10/01 - $411,300
  
• 29th Annual World Series of Poker - Event #16 - WSOP No Limit Deuce to Seven Lowball - 05/06/98 - $132,750
  
• International Pot Limit Rendezvous Pot Limit Hold'em - 01/04/98 - $16,000
  
• Poker Classic Pot Limit Omaha - 09/23/95 - $60,000
  
• Diamond Jim Brady No Limit Hold'em - 08/17/94 - $75,600
  
• 25th Annual World Series of Poker - Event #2 - WSOP Limit Hold'em - 04/17/94 - $210,000
  
• 24th Annual World Series of Poker - Event #3 - WSOP Limit Omaha Hi/Lo - 04/22/93 - $94,000
  
• 23rd Annual World Series of Poker - Event #4 - WSOP Limit Hold'em - 04/25/92 - $168,000

Erik Seidel's tournament wins shows that he's been a serious contender from the get go. Many of his other placements have been in the top ten.