Erik Seidel
One of the most seasoned veterans in poker, still holding his edge after decades in the game.
Can you stay a winning player for forty years against the toughest fields in poker? If you're Erik Seidel, apparently yes. A living legend and Hall of Famer, he first grabbed the poker world's attention back in 1988, making the heads-up finale of the WSOP Main Event. He couldn't get past Johnny Chan that day, but he never really slowed down after — decade after decade of new titles followed.
Seidel dropped out of college to chase a career as a professional backgammon player. It paid the bills for a while, and despite the lack of a degree, he landed a job as a stock trader — until the 1987 market crash cost him that job, and he had to figure out what came next. Poker is what came next.
Over his career, Seidel has recorded 7 wins worth more than $1 million each. His three biggest scores:
- $2,472,555 — winning the A$250,000 Super High Roller No Limit Hold'em at Aussie Millions in 2011.
- $2,400,000 — third place in the $300,000 No Limit Hold'em Super High Roller Bowl in Las Vegas, May 2016.
- $2,222,222 — a fittingly round number Seidel picked up for winning the Super High Roller event at EPT Monte Carlo in April 2015.
As of early 2026, the 66-year-old has over $48 million in career earnings according to Hendon Mob, and he's still active on the circuit. Lately, though, Seidel has talked more openly about winding down — not because of his age, but because of new US tax legislation.
