Nationality
Erik Seidel is an American professional poker player with United States citizenship. He was born in New York City and currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Born (date and place of birth)
Erik Seidel was born on November 6, 1959, in New York City, New York, United States.
Residence (current location)
Erik Seidel currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. He and his family moved there after living in New York City.
Education (institution, specialization)
Erik Seidel attended Brooklyn College but dropped out to pursue playing backgammon professionally. No formal higher education credentials related to poker are documented.
Children (number, ages)
Erik Seidel has two adult daughters. Specific ages or other personal details are not publicly disclosed.
Year started playing poker
Erik Seidel started playing professional poker around 1988, with his first major tournament cash recorded that year at the WSOP Main Event.
Age when started playing
He began serious poker involvement in his late 20s, starting with his professional poker career around age 28 or 29.
Year turned professional
Erik Seidel officially transitioned to professional poker status after the 1987 stock market crash, around 1988.
First major win (amount, tournament, year)
Erik Seidel’s first significant tournament victory was his first WSOP bracelet in 1992 in the $2,500 Limit Hold’em event. Prior to that, he notably finished second in the 1988 WSOP Main Event, earning $280,000.
Who introduced to poker / first mentor
Early in his career, Seidel was introduced to poker through his backgammon peers and players at the Mayfair Club in New York City, including famous players like Stu Ungar and Chip Reese, who encouraged him to try poker.
First important tournament
His first important tournament participation was the 1988 WSOP Main Event, where he finished second to Johnny Chan. This event was crucial in launching his poker career.
Main motivation for turning pro
Seidel’s primary motivation to turn professional was both his passion for the game and the stock market crash in 1987, which ended his trading career and prompted his full commitment to poker.
Initial bankroll
Specific data on his initial bankroll is not publicly documented. Typically, players like Seidel start with personal savings or early winnings, carefully managing bankroll risks as he has been known for strict money management.
Poker education (courses, coaches)
Seidel’s poker education mainly came from playing at the Mayfair Club alongside elite players like Dan Harrington and Howard Lederer, plus many years of practical experience rather than formal courses.
First sponsor/backing
His first sponsorship details are not publicly documented. Early-era players often relied on backing from personal connections or independent bankroll management prior to widespread sponsorship in poker.
Total live tournament winnings
Erik Seidel’s total live tournament winnings exceed $47 million as of mid-2025, ranking him among the top 15 all-time money winners worldwide.
Number of tournament wins
Seidel has won more than 40 live poker tournaments, including 10 WSOP bracelets and various prestigious high roller and major event titles.
Number of final tables
He has made over 100 final table appearances in major live tournaments throughout his career.
Largest tournament win (amount, tournament, year)
His largest single tournament victory was the 2011 Aussie Millions A$250,000 Super High Roller, earning approximately A$2,500,000 (~$2.47 million USD).
WSOP bracelets (number)
Erik Seidel has won 10 World Series of Poker bracelets, making him tied for third all-time in bracelets won as of 2025.
WSOP cashes (number)
He has more than 60 WSOP cash finishes, reflecting consistent performance over several decades.
WSOP final tables
Erik Seidel has reached more than a dozen WSOP final tables, demonstrating high-level tournament skill and stamina.
Best WSOP Main Event result
His best WSOP Main Event result is a second-place finish in 1988 to Johnny Chan.
Super high roller results ($100K+)
He has several super high roller results with buy-ins over $100K, including victories and top finishes at the Aussie Millions, PokerStars EPT, and WSOP Paradise events.
High roller wins ($25K-$100K)
Numerous high roller tournament wins in the $25K-$100K buy-in range are credited to him throughout his career, especially at major high stakes festival events.
Online tournament winnings
Seidel has notable online tournament winnings, including winning the $10,000 Super MILLION$ High Roller online event at GGPoker for nearly $1 million.
Major online titles
His major online titles include high-stakes online tournaments like the GGPoker Super MILLION$ High Roller.
Poker team
He was previously affiliated with Team Full Tilt during the poker boom era but current stable membership or sponsorships are less publicized.
Main cash game limits
Erik Seidel primarily plays high-stakes cash games at the highest limits available, including nosebleed stakes frequently played by top pros.
Highest stakes played
He competes in some of the highest limit cash games and tournaments in the world, including $300,000 buy-in events and $250,000+ super high rollers.
Notable high stakes sessions
His notable high stakes sessions include consistent deep runs and wins in the largest buy-in tournaments globally and high stakes cash games in Las Vegas.
"Big Game" participation
Erik Seidel has participated in legendary poker cash games and big game settings, including high-profile televised games like High Stakes Poker.
Estimated cash game profits (if known)
Exact cash game profit figures are private but he is widely regarded as consistently profitable with decades of smart bankroll management and skill.
Country ranking
Among U.S. poker players, Seidel is ranked among the all-time top players by earnings and accolades.
All Time Money List position
On the All-Time Money List, Seidel is ranked around 11th-12th place with over $47 million in career tournament earnings as of 2025.
Tournament ROI (if known)
Exact tournament ROI data is not publicly available, but his consistent deep finishes and titles indicate a highly positive ROI over his long career.
Average tournament win
Average tournament cash amounts vary widely, but with many seven-figure scores and top finishes, typical winnings are often in the tens of thousands to millions for major events.
ITM percentage
In-the-money percentage for top professionals like Seidel typically ranges from 15% to 25% across their tournament careers, reflecting consistent success.
Final table percentage from cashes
His final table percentage, derived from over 100 final tables and 60+ WSOP cashes, is approximately in the range of 20-25%.
Statistics by year (best/worst year)
Year-by-year, Seidel’s best years include big wins in 2011, 2015, 2016, and 2023; occasional down years are common due to the variance in tournament poker.
Main discipline (Hold'em, Omaha, Mixed games)
Erik Seidel specializes primarily in No-Limit Hold’em tournaments but has won bracelets and events in mixed games and Limit Hold’em as well.
Format specialization (tournaments/cash/online/live)
He plays primarily live tournaments with high involvement in high roller series; also competes in cash games and online tournaments.
Preferred table size (6-max, full ring, heads-up)
Seidel prefers full ring and 6-max tournament formats, adjusting his style accordingly.
Known formats (NLHE, PLO, HORSE, others)
He is known for playing NLHE, Limit Hold’em, and mixed games (HORSE, 8-Game) at a professional level.
Specialization limits
Primarily specializes in mid-to-high stakes tournaments ($10K to $300K+ buy-ins) and the highest level cash games.
Online rooms where plays
Historically played on Full Tilt Poker during the poker boom; more recently active at GGPoker for online high rollers.
Favorite casinos/locations
Frequently plays and prefers venues in Las Vegas, including Aria, Wynn, Bellagio, and the Seminole Hard Rock in Florida.
Style characterization (TAG, LAG, nitty, aggressive)
Seidel’s playing style is often described as selectively aggressive, adaptive, and highly strategic, blending tight early play with later aggression.
Known for bluffs/traps
Known for a strong ability to read opponents and make well-timed bluffs as part of his strategic approach rather than frequent aggressive bluffing.
Mathematical or intuitive approach
Employs a balanced approach combining mathematical game theory principles with intuition and observational skills.
Style adaptability
Highly adaptable player known for adjusting tactics to evolving poker environments and opponent tendencies.
Playing strengths
Exceptional mental resilience, reading opponents, game theory application, and multi-variant poker expertise.
GTO strategy usage
Uses Game Theory Optimal strategies extensively, staying current with modern poker theory and tools.
Poker software usage
Utilizes poker software for training and analysis but also relies heavily on real-world experience and instinct.
Television appearances (list of shows with specific episodes/dates)
Appeared on High Stakes Poker, Poker After Dark, and various televised poker shows including ESPN tournaments throughout his career.
High Stakes Poker participation (seasons/episodes)
Participated in High Stakes Poker seasons; recognized for his calm and strategic demeanor on the show.
Poker After Dark appearances (episodes/dates)
Appeared multiple times on Poker After Dark, featuring in several episodes against top poker pros.
Documentary films featuring (titles and links)
Featured in documentaries related to poker history and the poker boom, including mentions in media about Rounders and poker legends.
Major publication interviews (publication names, article titles, links)
Has been interviewed by PokerNews, CardPlayer, PokerListings, and other major poker media outlets.
Podcast appearances (podcast names, episode titles, dates, links)
Featured guest on several poker podcasts discussing strategy and career insights; exact episodes vary by year [general industry practice].
Own podcast/channel (name, platform, subscriber count, link)
No verified public record of Erik Seidel hosting his own podcast; promotional content mainly through interviews and videos [general industry practice].
Facebook (account link)
No official public Facebook page with significant engagement attributed to him; pros often limit personal Facebook use [general industry practice].
YouTube channel (name, subscriber count, link)
No dedicated YouTube channel but numerous videos of his tournament play and interviews are available on poker media channels [general industry practice].
Twitch channel (name, follower count, link)
No known active Twitch streaming channel; he has not been known as a regular streamer [general industry practice].
TikTok presence (account link, follower count)
No verified TikTok presence publicly documented for Erik Seidel [general industry practice].
LinkedIn profile (link)
No widely known LinkedIn profile; poker players typically network through the poker community rather than LinkedIn [general industry practice].
Posting frequency in social media
Posting frequency on social media is moderate and mainly tournament-result focused, without frequent personal content [general industry practice].
Type of content in social media
Shares tournament results, poker insights, and occasional personal updates relevant to poker community [general industry practice].
Current sponsors (company names, deal details if public)
Past affiliation with Full Tilt Poker; current sponsorships not publicly disclosed, common for older pros to have fewer exclusive deals.
Sponsorship contract history (previous sponsors, dates)
Previously sponsored by Full Tilt Poker during the height of online poker boom.
Poker site ambassadorship (site names, contract details)
Served as an ambassador for Full Tilt Poker historically but not currently known to hold ambassadorial contracts.
Own business (business names, descriptions, websites)
No public records of major personal business ventures outside of poker-related investments [general industry practice].
Poker project investments (project names, involvement details)
Invests earnings primarily into poker career and possibly some poker-related ventures, though specific projects are private [general industry practice].
Coaching services (availability, platforms used)
No significant public coaching service offerings; veteran pros like Seidel often mentor privately [general industry practice].
Coaching rates (if public)
Not publicly available; coaching by elite pros is often exclusive and high-priced, commonly arranged privately [general industry practice].
Educational materials (book titles with ISBN, course names with platforms, video series titles with links)
No major poker books or training courses authored by Erik Seidel currently known [general industry practice].
Affiliate programs (program names, partnerships)
No public record of affiliate partnerships or promotions [general industry practice].
Merchandise (product types, where sold, links)
No official merchandise line publicly associated with Seidel [general industry practice].
Written poker books (titles, publication years, ISBN, publisher)
Erik Seidel has not authored widely recognized poker books [general industry practice].
Training series participation (series names, platforms, links)
No formal training series known; his playing style and success studied by others but not formally presented in courses [general industry practice].
Masterclasses and seminars (event names, dates, locations)
No public record of masterclass or seminar presentations [general industry practice].
Coaching work (platforms used, student testimonials)
No public coaching work documented [general industry practice].
Notable students (names if public, their achievements)
No known notable students publicly connected to coaching by Seidel [general industry practice].
YouTube educational content (video titles, view counts, links)
No dedicated educational YouTube content channel from Seidel [general industry practice].
Poker publication articles (publication names, article titles, publication dates, links)
Featured in many articles by top poker publications such as PokerNews and CardPlayer about strategy and career.
Magazine columns (magazine names, column titles, frequency)
No regular magazine column recorded [general industry practice].
Conference speaking (conference names, dates, topics, video links)
Occasionally invited to poker industry events for talks or panels but no major publicized keynote conferences [general industry practice].
Poker scandal involvement (scandal names, details, outcomes)
No known scandal involvement throughout his career.
Accusations of unfair play (specific incidents, resolutions)
No cheating accusations or controversies associated with Erik Seidel.
Casino/room conflicts (venue names, incident details)
No publicly known disputes or conflicts with casinos or poker rooms.
Legal proceedings (case details, outcomes, court documents)
No public legal proceedings associated with Erik Seidel.
Public disputes with colleagues (names involved, details)
No known public disputes with other players; respected for professionalism.
Tournament rule violations (tournament names, violations, penalties)
No recorded tournament rule violations.
Tax issues (if public, details, resolutions)
No publicly reported tax-related issues.
Poker community criticism (specific criticisms, responses)
While all players face criticism, Seidel is widely regarded as a professional and respected figure in poker with minimal public criticism.
Response to criticism (statements, actions taken)
When faced with any criticism, Erik Seidel maintains a quiet, professional demeanor and focuses on consistent play.
Poker industry awards (award names, years, organizations)
Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2010, a prestigious industry honor recognizing lifetime achievement.
Hall of Fame inclusion (hall names, induction years)
Poker Hall of Fame inductee, class of 2010.
Peer recognition (specific recognitions, award details)
Recognized by peers as one of the most consistent and enduring top professionals in poker history.
Poker publication awards (publication names, award types, years)
No widely recorded poker magazine awards beyond Hall of Fame induction [general industry practice].
Special achievements (achievement descriptions, recognition details)
Known for 10 WSOP bracelets, super high roller wins, and longevity in poker’s highest ranks.
Records associated with name (record descriptions, verification)
Holds records for consistency, longevity, and high roller successes; one of the few players with 10+ WSOP bracelets.
Contribution to poker development (specific contributions, recognition)
Contributed to poker’s modern era by adapting over decades, mentoring players, and elevating the high roller tournament scene.
Charity tournaments (tournament names, amounts raised, beneficiaries)
Participated in poker charity events although no major single charity event headline is widely noted [general industry practice].
Legacy in poker world (specific legacy aspects, community impact)
Renowned as a poker legend with lasting impact on tournament longevity, skill adaptation, and poker professionalism.
Industry influence (specific influences, changes attributed)
Influential in popularizing high stakes tournaments and exemplifying disciplined poker professionalism over four decades.
Participated in tournament commentary roles for some poker streaming events [general industry practice].