Erik Seidel
Born in New York in 1959, Erik Seidel is probably one of the most recognized names of poker playing that people know today. The man has won several tournaments, however, there is one particular experience that has his name etched into people's mind. In the 1988, World Series of Poker Main Event he lost to Johnny Chan and no matter what he does now, people seem to bring this up wherever he goes. Of course it doesn't help the fact that people remember it since the moment has been documents in the film 'Rounders'. Though, Seidel tells most people that he has removed this bad memory from his mind and plays for the present. Those that still bring this up however, should realize that this was his first tournament and it was awesome that he even ranked to play against one that was considered the best in the poker world.
Overall, he has won eight gold bracelets from competition in various tournaments in the poker world, which is astounding and just goes to show how well of a player that Seidel really is.
Mr. Erik Seidel started out with a competitive streak at a young age. While he was attending Brooklyn College, he started to play backgammon and that is when he noticed that he had a natural ability at games. He then dropped out of college to play professionally. He started at the Mayfair Club in New York which was known for its games that anyone could participate in. However, over the years that gambling and playing games started to take a toll on him and he sought out a regular job. He began working as a stockbroker in 1985, while still playing on the side.
When the stock market crashed in 1987, he turned back to the Mayfair in order to make money. He joined in with some of the greats of the poker world to play at the tables. By playing with some of the great poker players he was able to improve his game, and finally invested into playing the 1988 Games that everyone talked about.
After his loss, he returned to Wall Street and still played poker games. In 1991, he placed second in the ESO games in the Limit Hold'Em games, while finishing first in the same event the following year. He also placed first in the 1993 Omaha Eight or Better. In 1994, he won first place in the Hold'em Limit game, and from this win decided that to be a pro he must move to Las Vegas.
In 1998 he won the WSOP Deuce to Seven Triple Draw, while also placing fourth in the main event. In 2001 he won the WSOP No Limit Hold'Em event and placed second in the Jack Binion World Poker Open in Mississippi. He placed first in the 2003 WSOP Pot-Limit Omaha and third in the No-Limit Hold'em events. He also placed second in the US Poker Championship No Limit Hold'em event. And the list goes on. He continues to play poker today, which is his first passion and there is no sign that he is stopping in the future.