Erik Seidel Wins National HU Championship To Top Poker Money List
March 7, 2011 7:44 amUS poker legend Eric Seidel has just won the National Heads-Up Poker Championship (NHPC) for $750,000 and now sits atop poker’s ‘All Time Money List’ with $14,697,297 in career earnings.
Commenting on his new status as the number one earner in tournament poker, the 8 times WSOP bracelet winner said:
“I think it’s nice. I kind of expect it will be a temporary thing, but I’m happy to be there now.”
Last year at the NHPC Seidel finished second to Annie Duke and this year found himself once again in the final with only Chris Moneymaker standing between himself and ultimate success in the heads-up competition.
Erik Seidel took the first game of their best of three match after a short-stacked Moneymaker moved all in holding Q-10 on a J-9-4 board and was called by Seidel with J-6.
During their second contest Moneymaker found himself short-stacked once more and this time tried to bluff Seidel off a pot by moving all-in holding K-10 on a 5-5-9 flop. Seidel instantly called with 4-5 and Moneymaker soon found himself defeated but still collected a $300,000 consolation prize for his hard fought efforts.
Heaping praise on his worthy opponent after the match, Chris Moneymaker said: “I tried everything. I tried to check-raise, I tried to bluff him, I tried to trap him. He’s just a true champion.”
At the end of last year, Eric Seidel was admitted into the Poker Hall of Fame in recognition of his stunning career which includes 8 WSOP bracelets, a WPT title and $10 million tournament winnings at that time.
Ever since then Seidel has been on an incredible run and this year has now amassed $4,342,284 in winnings already, including six final tables and now three tournament victories.
Commenting on his unbelievable heater in 2011, Eric Seidel understandably exclaimed; “I’m loving it right now.”