Erik Seidel Wins First WPT Title at WPT Foxwoods Poker Classic

Poker pro Erik Seidel notched his first WPT title at the WPT Foxwoods Poker Classic last night. (Bodog Beat Image)

In contrast to the previous day in which the field at the WPT Foxwoods Poker Classic only had to lose three players and only took about three hours, the final table took a marathon 12 hours and 229 hands to whittle down the final six to the eventual champion, poker pro Erik Seidel.

Seidel held the chip lead from the first shuffle all the way to the very last river card. It was no easy road though, as he had to exhibit the skills to patiently wait and wait and wait and then turn on a dime and pick up the action again, mainly because of the two dubious WPT records that were set at the final table of the event, the longest three-way battle and the shortest heads-up match. Three-handed play between Seidel, Robert Richardson and Andrew Barta lasted SIX HOURS before Barta finally hit the rail. Then, in stark contrast, the heads-up match between Richardson and Seidel lasted just one hand, and then it was all over.

Seidel has finally rid himself of the monkey on his back after a mind-boggling 15 WPT event cashes, including four final tables, without having captured a WPT title. We guess one could start saying "WPT bracelet " instead of "WPT title" thanks to the announcement of the S&M accessory that will be handed out to all WPT champions, but it just doesn't have the same ring (or bracelet) to it. Anyway, the eight-time WSOP bracelet winner (see) now has over $9 million in career earnings.

Here are the full final table placings and payouts:

1. Erik Seidel - $992,890
2. Robert Richardson - $558,792
3. Andrew Barta - $281,011
4. Frank Cieri - $200,261
5. Adam Katz - $151,811
6. Ted Forrest - $103,360

The preliminary events for the WPT World Championship are already underway at the Bellagio. The $25,000 buy-in championship event kicks off in just over a week, but Seidel doesn't have to worry to much about the high buy-in, he just got himself a free seat.