Dan Harrington, Erik Seidel Newest Members of Poker Hall of Fame

Gambling911.com would like to congratulate both Dan Harrington and Erik Seidel for their induction into the Poker Hall of Fame this week.

Seidel, in particular, appeared to be a frontrunner thanks in part to the Godfather of Poker Doyle Brunson’s encouragement. 

Consistency, ability to play high stakes games, standing the test of time and the respect of one’s peers are the key components in making it into the Poker Hall of Fame.

Brunson commented on his blogprior to the induction that he would be “very surprised” if Erik Seidel was not selected.

eight-time WSOP bracelet winner “meets all the criteria” and that his “exemplary conduct deserves a special accolade,” Brunson said. 

Originally a tournament backgammon player, Seidel eventually started playing the stock market, and then moved on to poker. He was one of the group of now famous players from the Mayfair Club, including Howard Lederer and Dan Harrington.

In recent years, Seidel has enjoyed great success at the Aussie Millions poker tournaments where he finished in second place in both 2007 and 2008.  He also finished in second place at this year’s National Head’s Up Poker Championship.

As of 2010, his total live tournament winnings exceed $10,350,000.

Seidel is part of the design team for Full Tilt Poker.

Dan Harrington, age 64, is best known for winning the main event world championship at the 1995 World Series of Poker. He has earned one World Poker Tour title, two WSOP bracelets, and over six million dollars in tournament cashes in his poker career.

Harrington is a former champion backgammon player and U.S. chess master (he won the 1971 Massachusetts State Chess Championship).  He worked for many years as a bankruptcy attorney. 

As of 2010, his live tournament winnings exceed $6,600,000. More than half of his live tournament winnings ($3,524,476) have come at the WSOP. – Patrick Flanagan reporting for Gambling911.com