Seidel Makes EPL Final Table Again, Poised to Make $7 Million on Year

Although Australian David Paul Steicke will start the final table with with a slight chip lead, it is Erik Seidel who is receiving all the attention at the 2nd Epic Poker League (EPL) $20,000 buy-in Main Event final table. Seidel finished in second at the first EPL 6-handed NLHE main event and he finds himself positioned once again at this eight-handed NLHE event to have another monster score. Seidel has had a remarkable 2011 and with a win and collection of the $782,410, he would push over $7 million in winnings on the year, something no one besides a WSOP Main Event winner has ever done.

One large pivotal hand with Mike McDonald propelled Seidel into a strong position for the final table. Seidel held A,10 against the 10,8 of McDonald on a board of A,10,8,10,9. It is considered a "cooler" because both players held strong hands that naturally would bet a lot (full houses), but Seidel's was stronger.

The final table will once again have experience pros like Isaac Baron, Frenchman Fabrice Soulier, Dutch Boyd, Nam Le and Mike McDonald. Sean Getzwiller is having his second strong finish after qualifying once again in the $1,500 Pro/Am event. He is guaranteed at least $57k to go with the $70k he won in the first EPL main event.

Chino Rheem, the defending champion, bowed out in 20th place, much to the chagrin of poker pros still awaiting payback on outstanding loans. Adam "Roothlus" Levy was eliminated in 9th, to become the final table bubble boy.

EPL Main Event #2 Final Table: (blinds 5,000/10,000 with a 1,000 ante)

1. David Steicke 1,059,000
2. Erik Seidel 1,031,000
3. Isaac Baron 876,000
4. Fabrice Soulier 537,000
5. Dutch Boyd 393,000
6. Nam Le 362,000
7. Mike McDonald 357,000
8. Sean Getzwiller 235,000

Final table payouts:

1st - $782,410
2nd - $506,260
3rd - $299,160
4th - $184,100
5th - $126,570
6th - $92,050
7th - $69,040
8th - $57,530

The televised final table begins at 3 pm PST Friday at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.