Poker Legend Seidel Runs Deep in Backgammon Return
Ten-time WSOP bracelet winner finishes second in his first backgammon event in over 40 years.
Erik Seidel, ten-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner and Poker Hall of Famer, finished second in a Las Vegas backgammon tournament this week — his first competitive backgammon appearance in over 40 years, according to Card Player.
Why It Matters
Seidel's near-victory signals that elite game theory skills transfer across competitive formats, a point relevant to anyone who studies decision-making under uncertainty. Backgammon and poker share core mechanics — probability assessment, risk management, and reading variance — making crossover performance less surprising to analysts than to casual observers. For the iGaming industry, the story reinforces growing interest in skill-based games beyond poker, a segment operators have watched carefully as younger players seek alternatives to traditional casino formats. Gambling always carries risk, and skill-game competence does not eliminate it.
Context
Seidel, one of poker's most decorated professionals, accumulated his ten WSOP bracelets across decades of high-level tournament play. Backgammon has experienced a quiet resurgence in competitive circles, with Las Vegas hosting organized events that attract both dedicated players and crossover competitors from adjacent game communities, as of October 2026.
What's Next
Whether Seidel pursues further backgammon competition remains unconfirmed; his runner-up finish will likely generate attention from both poker and backgammon communities watching to see if he commits to the format.
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