Poker Player - Erik Seidel
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Erik Seidel has a major motion picture to his credit.
Seidel is immortalized in the Matt Damon/Edward Norton movie Rounders. Seidel’s second-place finish against Johnny Chan in the 1998 World Series is shown during the film and is a key part of the plot.
So what if Seidel didn’t exactly act in the film? He has consistently acted like a winner at the poker table.
Seidel – who most recently finished second in the Aussie Millions and followed that up with a win in the WPT Foxwoods – has a long history of success at the poker table in both cash games and tournament play.
Besides his second in the Main Event, Seidel has eight World Series of Poker bracelets and 48 in the money finishes. In addition, he has a World Poker Tour title, two final tables and 16 in the money finishes on the WPT.
Seidel won his first bracelet in 1992 in the $2,500 Limit Hold ‘Em event. But he also has bracelets in Omaha 8 or better (1993), $5,000 limit Hold ‘Em (1994), $5,000 Deuce to Seven Draw (1998), $3,000 No Limit Hold ‘em (2001), $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha (2003), $2,000 No Limit Hold ‘Em (2005), $5,000 No-Limit Deuce to Seven Lowball (2007).
Born in 1959, the veteran got his start in backgammon, like many poker pros. However, he switched to poker and has never looked back. Seidel is featured on commercials for Full Tilt Poker and is a representative on the site.
Seidel’s battle with young Russian Alexander Kosistyn in the Aussie Millions went for almost two hours before Seidel settled for second place.
Seidel’s recent win in the Foxwoods on the heels of his great performance in the Aussie Millions signals that he is back on his best and a force to be feared in coming major tournaments.
In the Foxwoods, Seidel had a lengthy three-handed battle with Robert Richardson and Andrew Barta. It was the longest three-handed run in WPT history, an amazing six hours.
Heads-up did not take long, however. Seidel raised to $260,000, and Richardson called. The flop came Ac,Kh,9s and Seidel fired another $300,000. Richardson called. After an 8h on the turn, Richardson pushed all in for his remaining 1.2 million chips.
Seidel called with the Ah, Jd and Richardson showed the 9c 7s. The Kd on the river game Seidel his first WPT title. “I'm feeling great,” he said in an interview after the win. “It's so different. The difference between winning and finishing in any other place is really a big deal, so I'm really happy that things worked out and I was able to win.”
Seidel’s poker resume is matched by few players in the world. Over $9 million in earnings to go with his eight WSOP bracelets. In 2008, he already has a second and a win in two of the biggest tournaments in the world.
Seidel is not a brash, flashy player who demands TV attention. But when it comes to pure poker skills, there are very few players in his class. He has accomplished more that all but a few players, and is a true legend of the game. For all the young guns, he is still among the elite. It might be time for another movie, and Seidel should be the star of this one.
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