Erik Seidel Poker Tournament Updates

Day 1 Ends with 40 Players

Jun 15, '11

Day 1 has ended with 40 players and they will return at 2:30 p.m. The total prize pool for the tournament is $1,818,900 and the first-place prize is $436,568. The winner will also walk away with a gold bracelet two days from now.

Everyone will begin with 150,000 in chips tomorrow. The notables who remain include J.P. Kelly, Justin Bonomo, Adam Junglen, Alan Gohering, Todd Terry, Dan O’Brien, Thomas Marchese, Gavin Smith, and Erik Seidel, who will be gunning for his ninth gold bracelet.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel

Erik Seidel Defeats Allen Cunningham

Mar 04, '11

Well, that was fast. On a flop of KJ6, Erik Seidel and Allen Cunningham got into a raising war that eventually led to Cunningham moving all in.

Seidel called with KJ for top two pair, but he had to fade a lot of outs from the Q10 of Cunningham. The turn and river fell 36 and Cunningham was eliminated.

Seidel will now move on to face the winner of Huck Seed and Jennifer Harman.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Allen Cunningham

Erik Seidel Defeats Phil Gordon

Mar 05, '11

Phil Gordon was all in holding A4, but he was dominated by the AQ of Erik Seidel.

The board came down Q10984 and Gordon was eliminated. Seidel, who is having one hell of a year, moves on to face Vanessa Selbst in the Elite Eight.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Phil Gordon

Erik Seidel Defeats Jennifer Harman

Mar 05, '11

Jennifer Harman moved all in with J10, but she was behind to A9 for Erik Seidel.

The board brought an ace and Harman was eliminated. Seidel now has an upcoming match with Phil Gordon in the Sweet 16.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Jennifer Harman

Erik Seidel Wins 2011 NBC National Heads Up Poker Championship

Mar 06, '11

Chris Moneymaker was able to take a decent lead in his second match, but Erik Seidel clawed his way back to a big lead of his own with some sizable preflop pots.

Then, Moneymaker picked a rough spot to bluff on an ace-high rainbow board, betting all three streets. Seidel called him down with ace rag and was able to take a monster lead in the match.

Moneymaker wasn’t done, however, and fought back to nearly even. Then, on a flop of 955, Moneymaker tried to push Seidel off his hand holding K10.

Seidel rechecked his cards, saw 54 and made the call. The turn and river fell 62 and Moneymaker was eliminated.

Seidel takes the title and continues to ride one of the most impressive streaks in tournament poker history. He picks up $750,000 for his run and successfully improves upon his runner-up finish in 2010.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Chris Moneymaker

Erik Seidel Wins First Round

Mar 06, '11

I think it’s safe to say that things didn’t go well for Chris Moneymaker in the first match. Every time he had a hand, Erik Seidel held a bigger one. Every time he bluffed, Erik Seidel raised him.

Moneymaker was down to his last 200,000 or so before managing a double up, but still had a lot of work to do outchipped 3-1.

Eventually, Moneymaker got short enough to move all in holding Q10 on a flop of J94. Seidel made the call with J6 and it held when the turn and river fell AJ to give him the first match.

The two players will now reset the chips for the second match. If Seidel wins, it’s all over.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Chris Moneymaker

Finals -- Shuffle Up and Deal!

Mar 06, '11

Erik Seidel and Chris Moneymaker are seated for their best of three match here in the finals. The winner will take home $750,000 and the title of NBC National Heads Up Poker Champion.

Each player starts with 800,000 in chips and blinds of 5,000-10,000. Shuffle up and deal!

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Chris Moneymaker

Erik Seidel Defeats Andrew Robl

Mar 06, '11

They are being super secretive with the action now, so we have no idea how it happened, but Erik Seidel moved all in and Andrew Robl went into the tank.

After a few minutes, he made the call, but could only muck when Seidel showed him threes full. Robl was eliminated and Seidel moves on to the championship round for the second consecutive year.

Seidel has already put together a monster year and is seemingly the best $25,000 buy-in tournament player on the planet. With $300,000 already locked up, this is now his fifth six-figure score of 2011.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Andrew Robl

Chris Moneymaker Defeats Jonathan Duhamel

Mar 06, '11

We weren’t able to catch the action, but Jonathan Duhamel was all in on a board reading QJ1065 holding what appeared to be Q-9.

Moneymaker either called the bet or got called, showing down K-Q for a better kicker

Duhamel is eliminated and Moneymaker advances to the finals, where he is guaranteed at least $300,000, the second largest score of his career. This is also his second six-figure score of the year.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Chris Moneymaker

Erik Seidel Defeats Vanessa Rousso

Mar 06, '11

Vanessa Selbst moved all in holding 97 but ran right into the AJ of Erik Seidel.

The flop brought two aces and that was all it took to send Selbst to the rail. Seidel will now advance to the Final Four for the second straight year to face the winner of the Benyamine-Robl match.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Vanessa Selbst

Erik Seidel Defeats Allen Cunningham

Mar 04, '11

Well, that was fast. On a flop of KJ6, Erik Seidel and Allen Cunningham got into a raising war that eventually led to Cunningham moving all in.

Seidel called with KJ for top two pair, but he had to fade a lot of outs from the Q10 of Cunningham. The turn and river fell 36 and Cunningham was eliminated.

Seidel will now move on to face the winner of Huck Seed and Jennifer Harman.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Allen Cunningham

Erik Seidel Defeats Phil Gordon

Mar 05, '11

Phil Gordon was all in holding A4, but he was dominated by the AQ of Erik Seidel.

The board came down Q10984 and Gordon was eliminated. Seidel, who is having one hell of a year, moves on to face Vanessa Selbst in the Elite Eight.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Phil Gordon

Erik Seidel Defeats Jennifer Harman

Mar 05, '11

Jennifer Harman moved all in with J10, but she was behind to A9 for Erik Seidel.

The board brought an ace and Harman was eliminated. Seidel now has an upcoming match with Phil Gordon in the Sweet 16.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Jennifer Harman

Erik Seidel Wins 2011 NBC National Heads Up Poker Championship

Mar 06, '11

Chris Moneymaker was able to take a decent lead in his second match, but Erik Seidel clawed his way back to a big lead of his own with some sizable preflop pots.

Then, Moneymaker picked a rough spot to bluff on an ace-high rainbow board, betting all three streets. Seidel called him down with ace rag and was able to take a monster lead in the match.

Moneymaker wasn’t done, however, and fought back to nearly even. Then, on a flop of 955, Moneymaker tried to push Seidel off his hand holding K10.

Seidel rechecked his cards, saw 54 and made the call. The turn and river fell 62 and Moneymaker was eliminated.

Seidel takes the title and continues to ride one of the most impressive streaks in tournament poker history. He picks up $750,000 for his run and successfully improves upon his runner-up finish in 2010.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Chris Moneymaker

Erik Seidel Wins First Round

Mar 06, '11

I think it’s safe to say that things didn’t go well for Chris Moneymaker in the first match. Every time he had a hand, Erik Seidel held a bigger one. Every time he bluffed, Erik Seidel raised him.

Moneymaker was down to his last 200,000 or so before managing a double up, but still had a lot of work to do outchipped 3-1.

Eventually, Moneymaker got short enough to move all in holding Q10 on a flop of J94. Seidel made the call with J6 and it held when the turn and river fell AJ to give him the first match.

The two players will now reset the chips for the second match. If Seidel wins, it’s all over.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Chris Moneymaker

Finals -- Shuffle Up and Deal!

Mar 06, '11

Erik Seidel and Chris Moneymaker are seated for their best of three match here in the finals. The winner will take home $750,000 and the title of NBC National Heads Up Poker Champion.

Each player starts with 800,000 in chips and blinds of 5,000-10,000. Shuffle up and deal!

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Chris Moneymaker

Erik Seidel Defeats Andrew Robl

Mar 06, '11

They are being super secretive with the action now, so we have no idea how it happened, but Erik Seidel moved all in and Andrew Robl went into the tank.

After a few minutes, he made the call, but could only muck when Seidel showed him threes full. Robl was eliminated and Seidel moves on to the championship round for the second consecutive year.

Seidel has already put together a monster year and is seemingly the best $25,000 buy-in tournament player on the planet. With $300,000 already locked up, this is now his fifth six-figure score of 2011.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Andrew Robl

Chris Moneymaker Defeats Jonathan Duhamel

Mar 06, '11

We weren’t able to catch the action, but Jonathan Duhamel was all in on a board reading QJ1065 holding what appeared to be Q-9.

Moneymaker either called the bet or got called, showing down K-Q for a better kicker

Duhamel is eliminated and Moneymaker advances to the finals, where he is guaranteed at least $300,000, the second largest score of his career. This is also his second six-figure score of the year.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Chris Moneymaker

Erik Seidel Defeats Vanessa Rousso

Mar 06, '11

Vanessa Selbst moved all in holding 97 but ran right into the AJ of Erik Seidel.

The flop brought two aces and that was all it took to send Selbst to the rail. Seidel will now advance to the Final Four for the second straight year to face the winner of the Benyamine-Robl match.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Vanessa Selbst

Erik Seidel Defeats Allen Cunningham

Mar 04, '11

Well, that was fast. On a flop of KJ6, Erik Seidel and Allen Cunningham got into a raising war that eventually led to Cunningham moving all in.

Seidel called with KJ for top two pair, but he had to fade a lot of outs from the Q10 of Cunningham. The turn and river fell 36 and Cunningham was eliminated.

Seidel will now move on to face the winner of Huck Seed and Jennifer Harman.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Allen Cunningham

Erik Seidel Defeats Phil Gordon

Mar 05, '11

Phil Gordon was all in holding A4, but he was dominated by the AQ of Erik Seidel.

The board came down Q10984 and Gordon was eliminated. Seidel, who is having one hell of a year, moves on to face Vanessa Selbst in the Elite Eight.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Phil Gordon

Erik Seidel Defeats Jennifer Harman

Mar 05, '11

Jennifer Harman moved all in with J10, but she was behind to A9 for Erik Seidel.

The board brought an ace and Harman was eliminated. Seidel now has an upcoming match with Phil Gordon in the Sweet 16.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Jennifer Harman

Erik Seidel Wins 2011 NBC National Heads Up Poker Championship

Mar 06, '11

Chris Moneymaker was able to take a decent lead in his second match, but Erik Seidel clawed his way back to a big lead of his own with some sizable preflop pots.

Then, Moneymaker picked a rough spot to bluff on an ace-high rainbow board, betting all three streets. Seidel called him down with ace rag and was able to take a monster lead in the match.

Moneymaker wasn’t done, however, and fought back to nearly even. Then, on a flop of 955, Moneymaker tried to push Seidel off his hand holding K10.

Seidel rechecked his cards, saw 54 and made the call. The turn and river fell 62 and Moneymaker was eliminated.

Seidel takes the title and continues to ride one of the most impressive streaks in tournament poker history. He picks up $750,000 for his run and successfully improves upon his runner-up finish in 2010.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Chris Moneymaker

Erik Seidel Wins First Round

Mar 06, '11

I think it’s safe to say that things didn’t go well for Chris Moneymaker in the first match. Every time he had a hand, Erik Seidel held a bigger one. Every time he bluffed, Erik Seidel raised him.

Moneymaker was down to his last 200,000 or so before managing a double up, but still had a lot of work to do outchipped 3-1.

Eventually, Moneymaker got short enough to move all in holding Q10 on a flop of J94. Seidel made the call with J6 and it held when the turn and river fell AJ to give him the first match.

The two players will now reset the chips for the second match. If Seidel wins, it’s all over.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Chris Moneymaker

Finals -- Shuffle Up and Deal!

Mar 06, '11

Erik Seidel and Chris Moneymaker are seated for their best of three match here in the finals. The winner will take home $750,000 and the title of NBC National Heads Up Poker Champion.

Each player starts with 800,000 in chips and blinds of 5,000-10,000. Shuffle up and deal!

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Chris Moneymaker

Erik Seidel Defeats Andrew Robl

Mar 06, '11

They are being super secretive with the action now, so we have no idea how it happened, but Erik Seidel moved all in and Andrew Robl went into the tank.

After a few minutes, he made the call, but could only muck when Seidel showed him threes full. Robl was eliminated and Seidel moves on to the championship round for the second consecutive year.

Seidel has already put together a monster year and is seemingly the best $25,000 buy-in tournament player on the planet. With $300,000 already locked up, this is now his fifth six-figure score of 2011.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Andrew Robl

Chris Moneymaker Defeats Jonathan Duhamel

Mar 06, '11

We weren’t able to catch the action, but Jonathan Duhamel was all in on a board reading QJ1065 holding what appeared to be Q-9.

Moneymaker either called the bet or got called, showing down K-Q for a better kicker

Duhamel is eliminated and Moneymaker advances to the finals, where he is guaranteed at least $300,000, the second largest score of his career. This is also his second six-figure score of the year.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Chris Moneymaker

Erik Seidel Defeats Vanessa Rousso

Mar 06, '11

Vanessa Selbst moved all in holding 97 but ran right into the AJ of Erik Seidel.

The flop brought two aces and that was all it took to send Selbst to the rail. Seidel will now advance to the Final Four for the second straight year to face the winner of the Benyamine-Robl match.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Vanessa Selbst

Erik Seidel Wins High Roller

Feb 28, '11

Erik Seidel has emerged from his heads up match with Darren Elias as the winner of the 2011 WPT L.A. Poker Classic High Roller event. For the win, Seidel earns $263,990.

Seidel is having a monster year thus far in 2011, having made five final tables and earned over $3.7 million. With his victory, Seidel has moved ahead of Daniel Negreanu and Phil Ivey for lifetime earnings with over $14 million.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel

Erik Seidel Wins ($2,500,000) -- Sam Trickett Eliminated in Second Place ($1,500,000)

Jan 27, '11

Erik Seidel limped on the button and Sam Trickett raised to 175,000. Seidel made the call and the flop was dealt 9 5 3. Trickett checked and Seidel bet 150,000. Trickett then moved all in and Seidel made the call. Their cards:

Seidel: J 9
Trickett: A Q

Turn and River: K and 10

Erik Seidel is your champion at the $250,000 super high roller event at the Aussie Millions. He adds $2.5 million AUD to his career earnings for the victory, which now stand at an impressive $13,758,849 in prize money (second all time). Trickett was eliminated in second place and he was awarded the runner-up prize worth $1.5 million AUD after it looked like he would run away with the title at one time. It was still an impressive week for Trickett, who won the $100,000 challenge just a few days ago here in Melbourne.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Sam Trickett

Role Reversal

Jan 27, '11

Erik Seidel now holds the larger stacks. Seidel holds 3.8 million and Sam Trickett has 1.2 million.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Sam Trickett

Erik Seidel Doubles Up

Jan 27, '11

Erik Seidel got the last of his chips into the middle against Sam Trickett with the flop reading Q 6 6. Their cards:

Seidel: 6 3
Trickett: Q 8

Turn and River: A and K

Seidel doubled up on the hand to survive with 1.5 million and play continued. Trickett was down to 3.4 million after the hand, but still in control.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Sam Trickett

Heads-Up Chip Counts

Jan 27, '11

Sam Trickett: 4,196,000
Erik Seidel: 804,000

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Sam Trickett

James Obst the First to Fall

Jan 26, '11

We have our first major confrontation in the tournament. James Obst, Sam Trickett, and Erik Seidel got into a preflop battle of raises that saw Trickett get out of the way, and Obst send the last of his chips into the middle against Erik Seidel. Their cards:

Seidel: A A
Obst: K K

Board: 7 5 4 3 3

Obst was eliminated on the hand and Seidel takes the early chip lead after effectively doubling up with half a million.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   James Obst

Erik Seidel Eliminated

Jan 24, '11

Erik Seidel has busted out of the tournament.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel

Joe Hachem Eliminated

Jan 21, '11

Joe Hachem bet 4,500 on a K 9 5 flop and Erik Seidel made the call. Tony G then raised to 15,000. Hachem shoved all in and Seidel reraised to 100,000 to isolate. The gambit worked and he was all alone against Hachem heads up. Their cards:

Hachem: A A
Seidel: 9 9

Turn and River: K and 8

Hachem was eliminated on the hand and the former world champion, Team PokerStars pro, and Crown Casino representative will now have to wait until the $10,000 main event to make a run at a final table here in Melbourne.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Joe Hachem

Erik Seidel Eliminated in Third Place ($625,000)

Jan 23, '11

The three-handed spell that has presided over the $100,000 Challenge for the last couple of hours has been broken. The tournament got down to the final heads-up match when Erik Seidel decided to move all in with a flop of J 9 3 sitting on the table. Tony Bloom made the call and the two player flipped over their cards:

Seidel: J 8
Bloom: A J

Turn and River: 2 and 4

Bloom won the hand to grow his stack heading into the heads-up final and Seidel was eliminated in third place. He took home $625,000 in prize money.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Tony Bloom

Seidel Doubles Yet Again

Jan 23, '11

The carousel of double ups continues here at the $100,000 Challenge. The most recent sequel in this series saw Erik Seidel get the last of his chips into the middle preflop after a series of bets and raises against Tony Bloom. Their cards:

Seidel: A 9
Bloom: A 4

Board: K Q 8 7 5

Seidel won the kicker battle and he doubled up to a million, which is about what Bloom held after the hand as well.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Tony Bloom

David Steicke Eliminated in Fourth Place ($325,000)

Jan 22, '11

The board read J 5 2 4 when David Steicke decided to move all in and Erik Seidel made the call. Their cards:

Steicke: K 4
Seidel: 5 3

River: 9

Steicke was eliminated in fourth place and he took home $325,000 in prize money. Seidel grew his stack to more than 2 million heading into three-handed play.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   David Steicke

Seidel Doubles Again

Jan 22, '11

Erik Seidel just won;t fall without a fight in this event. In his latest double up, he held K 10 in the hole and he was up against the pocket queens of Sam Trickett. The flop read 8 3 2 when the money went in, and the turn and river fell A and Q.

That gave Trickett three queens but it gave Seidel a flush and he survived a dance with the devil in the pale moon light once again. Seidel held 1.3 million and Trickett fell to 350,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Sam Trickett

Erik Seidel Doubles Up

Jan 22, '11

Erik Seidel was in trouble when he was all in with pocket queens and David Steicke had him covered with pocket kings. The board read J 9 5 7 when the money got all in. The river brought the third queen that Seidel needed to survive and play continued four handed.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   David Steicke

Bloom's Turn to Double Up

Jan 22, '11

Tony Bloom got the last of his chips into the middle preflop after Erik Seidel put him on a decision for his tournament life. Their cards:

Bloom: 10 8
Seidel: K Q

Board: A J 5 9 7

Bloom had a wealth of outs on the river and he hit one to make a straight and survive. He doubled up to 700,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Tony Bloom

Joe Hachem Eliminated

Jan 21, '11

Joe Hachem bet 4,500 on a K 9 5 flop and Erik Seidel made the call. Tony G then raised to 15,000. Hachem shoved all in and Seidel reraised to 100,000 to isolate. The gambit worked and he was all alone against Hachem heads up. Their cards:

Hachem: A A
Seidel: 9 9

Turn and River: K and 8

Hachem was eliminated on the hand and the former world champion, Team PokerStars pro, and Crown Casino representative will now have to wait until the $10,000 main event to make a run at a final table here in Melbourne.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Joe Hachem

Erik Seidel Eliminated in Third Place ($625,000)

Jan 23, '11

The three-handed spell that has presided over the $100,000 Challenge for the last couple of hours has been broken. The tournament got down to the final heads-up match when Erik Seidel decided to move all in with a flop of J 9 3 sitting on the table. Tony Bloom made the call and the two player flipped over their cards:

Seidel: J 8
Bloom: A J

Turn and River: 2 and 4

Bloom won the hand to grow his stack heading into the heads-up final and Seidel was eliminated in third place. He took home $625,000 in prize money.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Tony Bloom

Seidel Doubles Yet Again

Jan 23, '11

The carousel of double ups continues here at the $100,000 Challenge. The most recent sequel in this series saw Erik Seidel get the last of his chips into the middle preflop after a series of bets and raises against Tony Bloom. Their cards:

Seidel: A 9
Bloom: A 4

Board: K Q 8 7 5

Seidel won the kicker battle and he doubled up to a million, which is about what Bloom held after the hand as well.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Tony Bloom

David Steicke Eliminated in Fourth Place ($325,000)

Jan 22, '11

The board read J 5 2 4 when David Steicke decided to move all in and Erik Seidel made the call. Their cards:

Steicke: K 4
Seidel: 5 3

River: 9

Steicke was eliminated in fourth place and he took home $325,000 in prize money. Seidel grew his stack to more than 2 million heading into three-handed play.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   David Steicke

Seidel Doubles Again

Jan 22, '11

Erik Seidel just won;t fall without a fight in this event. In his latest double up, he held K 10 in the hole and he was up against the pocket queens of Sam Trickett. The flop read 8 3 2 when the money went in, and the turn and river fell A and Q.

That gave Trickett three queens but it gave Seidel a flush and he survived a dance with the devil in the pale moon light once again. Seidel held 1.3 million and Trickett fell to 350,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Sam Trickett

Erik Seidel Doubles Up

Jan 22, '11

Erik Seidel was in trouble when he was all in with pocket queens and David Steicke had him covered with pocket kings. The board read J 9 5 7 when the money got all in. The river brought the third queen that Seidel needed to survive and play continued four handed.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   David Steicke

Bloom's Turn to Double Up

Jan 22, '11

Tony Bloom got the last of his chips into the middle preflop after Erik Seidel put him on a decision for his tournament life. Their cards:

Bloom: 10 8
Seidel: K Q

Board: A J 5 9 7

Bloom had a wealth of outs on the river and he hit one to make a straight and survive. He doubled up to 700,000 after the hand.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel,   Tony Bloom

Erik Seidel Doubles Up

Dec 04, '10

Erik Seidel moved all in preflop from early position for 47,600 and one opponent made the call. Their cards:

Seidel: A K
Opponent: A Q

Board: J J 9 K A

Seidel doubled up on the hand to survive and he now holds close to 100,000.

Player Tags: Erik Seidel