It was billed as the largest buy-in for a poker tournament in the history of the global game. At a breath-taking AU$250,000 buy-in, The Aussie Millions Super High Roller event was a tournament that had prestige and glamour written all over it. Recent entrant into the Poker Hall of Fame, Erik Seidel, was the name on everyone’s lips as he rolled back the years to show he still has plenty to offer the world of poker.
The Aussie Millions Super High Roller Cash Game involved 18 of the best players around including Phil Ivey, Chris Ferguson, Tom Dwan, John Juanda and, of course, eventual winner Erik Seidel. It was a heads up between AU$100,000 Aussie Millions winner Sam Trickett and Erik Seidel that would decide the victor. Trickett was the firm favorite to take home the title as going into the heads up he held over 80% of the 5 million chips available on the table. Seidel was up against it big time. However, as Trickett looked to use his chip stack to his advantage to try and bully his way to a win, his opponent began to double up and fight back. After a fair few hands that went Seidel’s way, suddenly this was an even match. Seidel slowly turned the game on its head and it wasn’t long before it came to what would prove to be the final hand. Trickett called all in after the flop with his Ace of spades and Queen of hearts. The flop was 3 of spades, 5 of hearts and 9 of hearts. Seidel held a Jack of hearts and a 9 of clubs. With the highest pair the turn and the river drew nothing and Seidel walked away with yet another title to his prolific career record.
Seidel’s career is enjoying a twilight period. At the wise age of 51 years old, he is playing some of the best poker of his life. This year he has already won over US$3.4m. He has finished in the top batch of players in his last few tournaments and his AU$2.5m win here saw him climb the charts to become one of the highest earning poker players of all time. He has reveled in some glorious moments earlier in his career including just losing out on the 1988 WSOP Main Event title to Johnny Chan and has collected 8 WSOP bracelets to his name. However, this was perhaps his most gritty and determined win to date.
Erik Seidel rightfully joined the elite in 2010 by becoming the latest inductee to the Poker Hall of Fame. He is only justifying his presence with poker’s finest names with his recent performances. Just when you think he is about to plunge he comes back stronger and more focused. This is the re-birth of a great player and it is a pleasure to witness it in all its glory.
