Erik Seidel finished second in the first backgammon tournament held in 40 years.

Poker legend Erik Seidel returned to backgammon after four decades and took second place at the prestigious Las Vegas Open 2026 tournament.

Erik Seidel takes second place in his first backgammon tournament in 40 years The legend returns: Erik Seidel back in a backgammon tournament after four decades In October 2026, Las Vegas hosted the prestigious $2,500 Super Jackpot backgammon tournament as part of the Las Vegas Open series. The event drew special attention thanks to the participation of Erik Seidel — ten-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner and member of the Poker Hall of Fame . Remarkably, Seidel hadn’t played in a backgammon tournament for over 40 years — his last appearance was back when Ronald Reagan was US President, Michael Jordan hadn’t debuted in the NBA, and the Berlin Wall was still standing. At age 66, Seidel decided to test himself once again in this intellectual game, facing off against the world’s top backgammon players. Despite his modest expectations — which he jokingly shared on social media X (formerly Twitter) on the eve of the tournament: “Playing my first backgammon tournament in 40 years against the best in the world. Most likely this will send me back into retirement, but I’ll try again in 40 years” (October 6) — the result was impressive. Seidel made it to the final and came just one step short of victory, losing in a tense finish. Tournament recap: a dramatic final and a battle to the last point The $2,500 Super Jackpot tournament brought together the elite of the global backgammon scene. Despite his long break, Erik Seidel managed to navigate a tough bracket and reach the final, where he faced a world-class opponent. The final match was played in a “first to 17 points” format — meaning the winner was the first to reach 17 points. In backgammon, points are awarded for winning games, and can also be doubled using a special doubling cube, adding an element of strategy and risk. The climax of the final came at a score of 16-16 — both players were just one point away from triumph. In the deciding game, Seidel lost, finishing in second place. For someone who hadn’t played in a backgammon tournament for over four decades, such a result among the world’s best is an outstanding achievement. After the tournament, Seidel shared on X that he was happy with his comeback and, contrary to expectations, put on a worthy performance. What is backgammon and why is it so popular among poker players? Backgammon is a board game for two players, each controlling 15 checkers. The goal is to be the first to move all your checkers around the board and bear them off. Moves are determined by rolling two dice, but the choice of how to move is where strategic skill comes in. An important element is the doubling cube , which allows players to increase the stakes at any moment, adding psychological pressure and requiring risk management skills. Backgammon, like poker, combines elements of luck (the dice rolls) and deep strategic thinking. Players must calculate probabilities, assess risks, and make decisions that give them an edge in the long run. That’s why many top poker players are drawn to backgammon: skills in analysis, bankroll management, and decision-making under uncertainty are just as valuable here as in poker. Erik Seidel is one of those who excels at both games. Before his famous poker career, he was a serious backgammon player in New York, often frequenting the legendary Mayfair Club , where the best minds gathered to play backgammon and bridge. In a 2019 PokerNews interview, Seidel recalled: “I loved backgammon, and it was the perfect time to play in New York. There was always a game at Mayfair. I started making money from the game — back then it was a bridge and backgammon club.” He later switched to poker, where in 1988 he became a finalist in the WSOP Main Event, losing only to Johnny Chan — a moment that became iconic and was featured in the movie Rounders . Since then, Seidel has achieved outstanding success: 10 WSOP bracelets and induction into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2010. Other poker pros with backgammon achievements Erik Seidel isn’t the only member of the poker community to gain recognition in the backgammon world. In July 2025, Czech pro Zdenek Zhizka won the Ultimate Backgammon Championship (UBC) in Monte Carlo, defeating Denmark’s Thomas Myhr in the final and defending the title he had won the previous year, in 2024. Notably, just a few weeks before this backgammon triumph, Zhizka won his first WSOP bracelet in the $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em event, where he beat well-known American pro Shaun Deeb heads-up and took home $232,498 in prize money. Another example is legendary Danish player Gus Hansen . Before switching to professional poker, he was a professional backgammon player, further highlighting the close connection between these two intellectual disciplines. Results and prize table Tournament: $2,500 Super Jackpot, Las Vegas Open 2026 Format: match to 17 points Final: Erik Seidel lost at 16-16, finishing 2nd Winner: (name not specified in the original) 2nd place: Erik Seidel Ultimate Backgammon Championship (UBC), Monte Carlo, July 2025 Winner: Zdenek Zhizka (Czech Republic) 2nd place: Thomas Myhr (Denmark) WSOP 2025, $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em Winner: Zdenek Zhizka 2nd place: Shaun Deeb Zhizka’s prize: $232,498 The connection between backgammon and poker: why the same players succeed The stories of Erik Seidel, Zdenek Zhizka, and Gus Hansen clearly show that the skills gained in backgammon can be extremely useful in poker — and vice versa. Both games require the ability to analyze probabilities, make quick decisions, manage risks, and stay calm under pressure. In backgammon, as in poker, you can’t control the outcome of random events (dice rolls or card deals), but sound strategic thinking gives you an edge over less experienced opponents in the long run. Many successful poker players started out in backgammon or continue to play it alongside poker. It not only develops your thinking but also helps you stay sharp, training your analytical skills and psychological resilience. What this means for PPPoker club players For PPPoker club members, the story of Erik Seidel and other pros is a great example of how developing skills in related intellectual games can positively impact your poker results. By learning backgammon or other games with elements of probability and strategy, you improve your analytical abilities, learn better bankroll management, and make decisions under uncertainty — all of which directly affect your poker success. Moreover, participating in tournaments across different disciplines broadens your horizons, introduces you to new opponents, and lets you see the game from a different perspective. If you feel stuck at one level in poker, try your hand at backgammon or another strategic game — it could give your development a fresh boost. Finally, stories like these inspire us not to be afraid of returning to our favorite games even after a long break. As Seidel’s example shows, class and experience never disappear, and new challenges only strengthen your confidence. Don’t be afraid to experiment and expand your gaming arsenal — it will help you not only in poker but in life as well.