Huck Seed

Looking at the professional poker circuit it seems like some of the players were born to gamble. This is particularly true for Huckleberry, or Huck, Seed who had won four World Series of Poker bracelets and over $2,700,000 from tournament play by the end of 2006.

As well as a successful poker, Seed has been involved in some legendary proposition bets that have become part of gambling folklore. No matter if he was successful – like the time he won $10,000 from Howard Lederer when he performed a standing back flip – or whether he lost – he once bet Phil Hellmuth $50,000 that he could stand with ocean water up to his neck for 18 hours (he lasted only three) – Seed has never lost faith in his own ability.

Initially, Seed was set for a life with roots away from the poker table. After finishing school in Corvallis, Montana, he enrolled in the California Institute of Technology to study electrical engineering. However, when he turned 21 in 1989, he left his course to focus on poker, a past time he had found an impressive aptitude for.

The following year he made his WSOP debut, reaching the final tables of Limit Omaha and Limit 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo, finishing fourth in both. In 1992 he improved on his great start by finishing third in Limit Hold ‘em and second in No Limit Deuce to Seven Lowball.

It was two years later, in April of 1994, when Seed finally blossomed into a WSOP bracelet winner. The 6’ 7” giant was head and shoulders above the competition as he claimed first prize, and $167,000, in the Pot Limit Omaha event.

His second bracelet win remains his biggest payout to date as he won $1,000,000 in the 1996 No Limit Hold ‘em event. His two subsequent bracelets came in 2000 and 2003, both times playing Limit Razz.

As well as winning WSOP in three different games, Seed has shown he can mix it with the best in stud competitions by winning titles in 7 Card Stud (in 2002’s LA Poker Classic) and 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo (in the Grand Slam of Poker tournament during the same year).

Seed appeared on the first series of NBC’s Poker After Dark series, eventually finishing second to Gus Hansen. The first few hands of this show have been uploaded to You Tube along with a short interview with the poker star.

Another place on the internet to find out more about Seed is at Full Tilt Poker, a site he regularly plays at. Although Seed is renowned for his quiet table side manner, FTP’s site allows users to chat to the professional players.

At such a domineering height, it comes as no surprise that Seed was a keen basketball player growing up. His younger brother Leif is also a keen sportsman who excels in track and field.