Ten-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Erik Seidel is enjoying a lowered poker schedule this 12 months. But he made a while for an additional sport he enjoys.
The poker legend entered his first backgammon tournament in a long time.
“Playing my first backgammon tournament in over 40 years tomorrow versus some of the world’s best,” he mentioned on X/Twitter. “Likely it’ll send me back into retirement, but I’ll try again in 40 years.”
Seidel’s backgammon abilities apparently hadn’t diminished. He was the runner-up within the $2,500 Super Jackpot on the 2026 Las Vegas Open.
Backgammon Background
Originally from New York, Seidel spent eight years on the backgammon circuit earlier than shifting on to poker full time, in response to the guide, Deal Me In.
Even in his early years, the Poker Hall of Famer was incomes cash from numerous video games, together with backgammon. The technique sport proved to be a bridge to the world of poker.
“Pac-Man was not a good earn for me, but I made money in high school playing pinball and backgammon; poker entered my life at least nine years later,” he wrote. “By the time I used to be in my teenagers, I used to be enjoying backgammon within the Game Room at seventy fifth and Broadway, which was a membership down the road from the place I lived, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
“Because I had read Paul Maguire’s groundbreaking book Backgammon, and because I’d been around real backgammon players, I was the best player in my high school.”
This week, Seidel dialed in to these abilities and got here simply wanting a significant title.
Got 2nd. Another thrilling match 16-16 to 17. I’ll be again once more in 2066
— Erik Seidel (@Erik_Seidel) October 8, 2026
Cutting Back On Poker
At the poker desk, Seidel has $50.5 million in match winnings and got here near bracelet No. 11 in July. Earlier this 12 months, the high-stakes professional introduced he would go into semi-retirement on account of the playing tax provision within the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
That provision permits gamblers to deduct solely 90% of losses, that means a participant might lose cash however nonetheless be required to pay taxes.
“The margins are really, really thin,” Seidel mentioned. “If you’re a professional poker player, you’re not even guaranteed to have a profit at the end of the year. This just creates a situation where it’s really untenable. Even the elite players, they can’t overcome it.”
There have been quite a few efforts to repeal the supply, however these have confirmed fruitless thus far. However, some latest strikes have gained bipartisan traction.
