Erik Seidel is world-renowned for his ten World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets and for being one of the most consistent players in history. However, beneath his image as a silent strategist lies a life marked by hobbies that have nurtured his discipline, creativity, and analytical capacity. In this article, we will learn more about Erik Seidel’s hobbies and how they have influenced his playing style and personality.
Backgammon
One of the most important hobbies in Seidel’s life was backgammon, a game he discovered in his teens and practiced professionally. From a young age, Seidel developed a fascination with logic and strategy games. This interest led him to New York’s legendary Mayfair Club, a temple for bridge and backgammon enthusiasts. There, surrounded by talents like pioneer Paul Magriel, Seidel not only learned to play backgammon but practiced it professionally for several years, traveling to various locations to compete. Backgammon—a game that combines probability calculation with deep positional understanding—was his first “formal school” of strategic thinking.
Backgammon taught Seidel to calculate odds, manage risk, and make decisions under pressure, skills he later transferred to poker. For years, he participated in local and national tournaments, becoming a benchmark in this field, especially before making the definitive leap into professional poker.
Chess
Another of Erik Seidel’s recurring hobbies has been chess, a game he has practiced since childhood, which has helped him develop strategic thinking and long-term vision. Chess, like poker, requires concentration, patience, and the ability to anticipate the opponent’s moves. For Seidel, this practice was mental training that prepared him to face complex scenarios in international tournaments.
Constant reading and study
Seidel has also been passionate about reading books on strategy and game theory. From texts on applied mathematics to competitive psychology manuals, his interest in learning has accompanied him throughout his life. This hobby reflects his methodical character and his conviction that knowledge is an indispensable tool for staying relevant in an environment as competitive and changing as poker.
Music as a way to relax
If there is one hobby that rivals his dedication to poker in intensity, it is his deep and genuine love for music. Outside the intellectual realm, Seidel enjoys music as a form of relaxation and emotional balance. Far from the stereotype of a one-dimensional player, Seidel listens to a wide range of musical genres, from jazz and classical to hip-hop, soul, folk, rock, and pop.
Although he is not a professional musician, Erik Seidel says he uses music as an “escape” from the rigors of competition. This hobby allows him to disconnect and maintain composure, a quality that has been key to his success at the tables. For Seidel, music is an essential part of his well-being; he has stated that listening to music is his “Prozac,” a fundamental tool for mental balance.
Seidel’s commitment to music goes beyond passive listening; he not only regularly attends Broadway musicals and folk festivals in Brooklyn but is also a member of the Brooklyn Academy of Music, further solidifying his connection to the cultural scene.
Sports and an active life
During his youth, Seidel practiced swimming and tennis, activities that helped him maintain physical and mental discipline. Although over the years his focus shifted more toward strategy games, sports have always been part of his daily routine to maintain energy and focus.
Poker has led him to travel the world, and Seidel has turned traveling into a hobby that allows him to experience new cultures and broaden his perspective. Each international tournament is also an opportunity to explore cities, try different cuisines, and enrich his global vision.
Mentoring and teaching
In recent years, one of Seidel’s most significant hobbies has been mentoring new players. Seidel enjoys sharing his experience and guiding “young talents” in the world of poker. This interest in teaching reflects his generous character and his desire to leave a legacy beyond his own triumphs.
His most famous student is the journalist and psychologist Maria Konnikova, who convinced him to train her “from scratch” in poker as part of a literary project. Under his tutelage, Konnikova not only learned the game but went on to win a major tournament and earn nearly $350,000 in prizes. This experience was documented in her successful book, The Biggest Bluff, in which Seidel appears not only as a technical instructor but also as a philosophical guide, teaching about psychology, luck management, and resilience. This desire to teach and share knowledge reflects an empathetic and generous facet of his character.
What do you think about this topic? Would you like to know more about Erik Seidel’s hobbies?
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