Huckleberry Seed | |
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![]() Seed at the2007 World Series of Poker | |
Born | (1969-01-15)January 15, 1969 (age 56) Santa Clara, California |
World Series of Poker | |
Bracelet(s) | 4 |
Money finish(es) | 54 |
HighestITM Main Event finish | Winner,1996 |
World Poker Tour | |
Title(s) | None |
Final table(s) | None |
Money finish(es) | 4 |
Information last updated on4 February 2021. |
Huckleberry ''Huck'' Seed (born January 15, 1969) is an American professionalpoker player best known for winning the Main Event of the1996 World Series of Poker.
Seed was born inSanta Clara, California, but grew up inCorvallis, Montana, where he attended Corvallis High School. He was a member of the 1987 Montana All-State basketball team.[citation needed] Seed was anelectrical engineering student atCalifornia Institute of Technology and a member ofFleming House. He took aleave of absence in 1989, started playing poker, and never returned to college.[1] Seed was a star player on Caltech's basketball team and is featured in the 2006 documentaryQuantum Hoops.[2]
Huck Seed played under the screen name“HuckleberrySeed” on the now defunct siteFull Tilt Poker, and was a sponsored “red” poker pro on Full Tilt.[3]
Seed won the1996 World Series of Poker main event, which resulted in his second bracelet and the $1,000,000 first prize.[4] He made the final table of the1999 WSOP main event, but was eliminated in sixth place by eventual championNoel Furlong.[5]
In the2003 World Series of Poker, Seed won his fourth career bracelet in a $3,000 Limit Razz tournament. He defeatedPhil Ivey in heads-up play to win the bracelet.[6]
In the2007 Main Event, Seed finished 73rd out of 6,358 players.[7]
Seed won the2009 NBC Heads-Up Poker Championship,[8] where he took the top prize of $500,000 and improved his overall record in the event to 18–4, an all-time best for win total. In addition, Seed became the only player to cash in every NBC Heads-Up tournament. Seed's streak ended in the 2010 tournament with his first round loss to eventual runner-upErik Seidel.
In 2010, Seed won theWorld Series of Poker Tournament of Champions freeroll for $500,000.[9][10]
On December 17, 2020, Seed was announced as one of the ten finalists for the 2020 induction into thePoker Hall of Fame.[11] On December 30, 2020, Seed was announced as the 2020 inductee into the Poker Hall of Fame after receiving 76 votes ahead ofMatt Savage (51 votes),Isai Scheinberg (45 votes), andEli Elezra (30 votes).[12]
As of February 2021, his total live tournament winnings exceed $7,600,000.[13] He has fourWSOP bracelets and cashed 54 times at the WSOP, accounting for $3,653,465 of his live tournament winnings.[14][13]
Year | Tournament | Prize (US$) |
---|---|---|
1994 | $2,500Pot Limit Omaha | $167,000 |
1996 | $10,000No Limit Hold'em World Championship | $1,000,000 |
2000 | $1,500Razz | $77,400 |
2003 | $5,000Razz | $71,500 |
Seed has been involved in many "prop bets". He once made a $10,000 proposition bet withPhil Hellmuth andKonstantin Othmer that he could float in the ocean for 24 hours without touching the bottom. By bet rules, he was not allowed to bet more than an additional $15,000, and could settle the bet without attempting the feat for $5,000, which is what eventually happened. This bet has been incorrectly reported;[15] Seed discussed it in a podcast.[16]
Seed once took a six-figure bet that he could break 100 on a desert golf course four times in a day using just a five iron, sand wedge, and putter. He has also bet that he would be able to go an entire year without shaving.[17]