The story of a successful American poker player Eric Seidel

Eric Seidel

The future poker player was born in 1959 in an ordinary family living in New York. Even in childhood, the boy showed abilities in the field of mathematics. He was interested in games with competitive elements, in which victory did not depend on luck. In college, Eric enjoys playing backgammon. This hobby prompted him to quit his studies in order to pursue a career in backgammon.

Years later, Seidel joined the Mayfair Club, where he competed in backgammon tournaments for eight years.

Between tournaments in Las Vegas, Seidel liked to spend his time playing Texas Hold’em. At first, for him it was just a hobby, to pass the time pleasantly.

In 1985, Eric Seidel began working as a stock broker in order to have a stable income. Since during this period of competitive backgammon gamesrewards have been reduced. In parallel, the American began to participate in poker tournaments with a small prize pool. Seidel moved to New York in 1987, where he took an active interest in poker.

Professional poker and Seidel’s success

Eric began to study the available literature on the concepts of playing poker, as well as analyze the games of opponents. The study paid off, and in 1988, Seidel achieved enough level to enter the WSOP and get 2nd place. After that, Seidel had a good period. Getting a 3rd WSOP bracelet pushes a novice poker player into a professional game. To do this, he moves to Las Vegas.

In 2003, he joins Bad Beat on Cancer, a cancer research, prevention and control charity, donating 1% of the winnings to the foundation.

In 2008, at the WTP tournament, Eric receives gold.

In 2010, Seidel won his twenty-eighth victory and was also inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame.

In 2011 in Melbourne, an American poker player takes 1st place in the Super High Roller. It is worth noting that the man acted as a personal trainer for Maria Konnikova. All her achievements in poker were due to Eric. Also, this year was marked by the ninth consecutive victory at the WTP, thanks to which the man became the champion of the game series.

In 2021, Seidel, despite being 61 at the time, wins the WSOP Online.

Erik Seidel’s Latest Poker Achievements

Eric Seidel-winner

In August 2021, a $10,000 Super Million$ WSOP Online tournament was held, where the man received the ninth bracelet. The prize amount was 977 thousand dollars. This victory was the most valuable, as the participants are only professional players. The American poker player is known under such nicknames as: Seiborg, Empty chair and Sly. Despite his victories, Seidel treats capital quite conservatively, so he does not experience difficulties with finances. In the poker community, the man is considered a living legend.