Our Verdict:
"I think all the best players have a certain innate intelligence and are just good decision makers. They are also risk takers," says Eric Seidel.
Originally a tournament backgammon player for eight years, Erik Seidel started playing the stock market and then moved onto poker. He was one of a group of now famous players from New York’s legendary backgammon and bridge club the Mayfair. Erik was among a circle of players including Howard Lederer and Dan Harrington who were the first to experiment with no limit holdem in New York when it was introduced in the mid-eighties.
Erik Seidel is probably most famous for being knocked out of the 1988 World Series of Poker main event by Johnny Chan, a defeat which is depicted in the poker movie Rounders. Seidel is far from a loser though and is one of the most successful poker tournament players ever with seven World Series of Poker bracelets - including winning the $2,000 No-Limit Hold’em tournament in 2005 (the year he made four final tables).
Indeed, Seidel has actually reached the final table of 27 WSOP events – a remarkable number, only bettered by four other players in history.
"I think people should just try to play at a limit that fits their bankroll and try to be realistic about expectations. Ego has busted many more players than bad beats have," he says.