The news of Erik Seidel taking down the 2011 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship isn't startling; it would be more startling if he didn't. Seidel has been on a monster roll since the beginning of the year and even he has mentioned that he's a bit in awe. Like when he won the LA Poker Classic's $25,000 High Roller Event, he had this to say about it, "This is a once in a life deal...truly unbelievable. You have to be running really well to have a streak like this. It was a great field-and no easy task to come out on top."
Erik cashed for $3.59 million in January and February of 2011 and his $750,000 purse for winning the 2011 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship has shot him into the top spot of all-time money winner list on the Hendon Mob. Until Seidel's latest win, Daniel Negreanu held the lead with $13.95 million. Seidel's record is now an absolutely astonishing $14.7 million in lifetime live tournament cashes. Phil Ivey holds the third place spot with $13.86 million.
Last year Seidel finished in second place to Annie Duke at the NBC Heads-Up but this year was a completely different story. “I have competed in the NHPC since 2005 and lost to Annie Duke in the finals at last year’s tournament, so my win today is truly special,” Seidel said.
“It is always exciting to compete against my fellow poker players who showcased great skill on the tables this year.”
Erik had wins over Allen Cunningham, Jennifer Harman, Phil Gordon, Vanessa Selbst, and Andrew Robl before facing off with Chris Moneymaker in the final best two out of three.
Event Results:
| Place | Player | Winnings |
| 1 | Erik Seidel | $750,000 |
| 2 | Chris Moneymaker | $300,000 |
| 3 | Andrew Robl | $125,000 |
| 4 | Jonathan Duhamel | $125,000 |
| 5 | David Benyamine | $75,000 |
| 6 | Vanessa Selbst | $75,000 |
| 7 | Olivier Busquet | $75,000 |
| 8 | David Oppenheim | $75,000 |
| 9 | Phil Gordon | $30,000 |
| 10 | Phil Galfond | $30,000 |
| 11 | Michael Mizrachi | $30,000 |
| 12 | James Bord | $30,000 |
| 13 | Jason Mercier | $30,000 |
| 14 | Eugene Katchalov | $30,000 |
| 15 | Ayaz Mahmood | $30,000 |
| 16 | Doyle Brunson | $30,000 |
For a more detailed tournament hand report visit PokerNews.