Mark Seif

Mark Seif is an American professional poker player born in Cairo, Egypt. He currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. Before becoming a poker player, he worked as an attorney.

Seif has earned over $3.2 million in live tournament winnings. His best result came when he won $611,145 for his second WSOP bracelet at the 36th World Series of Poker on June 22, 2005. He is a two-time WSOP bracelet winner, having won both bracelets at the same event in 2005.

In addition to playing poker, Seif was a co-host of the Professional Poker Tour. He has appeared in numerous TV shows and films as a poker player, co-host, and commentator. Seif was also a WPT Boot Camp instructor and has been representing Absolute Poker since 2004.

Mark Seif: Early Life

Seif was born in 1967 in Egypt and moved to the United States with his family when he was a young boy. He attended high school in Pasadena, California, and then graduated with high honors from UCLA in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. After completing his undergraduate studies, Seif pursued a law degree at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles from 1994 to 1997. Upon graduating, he was selected as a prosecutor for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, where he worked on the high-profile O.J. Simpson trial.

From 1997 to 2001, Seif specialized in labor and employment law, representing both large multinational corporations and small businesses, particularly in cases involving sexual harassment. Later in his career, he took on serious criminal cases, including those involving first-degree murder.

Outside of his legal career, Seif first learned to play poker around the age of six through family games. He found that his experience as a lawyer helped him read his opponents at the poker table. It was in 2001 when he started playing poker professionally.

Mark Seif: Live Tournament Participation

Mark Seif recorded his first live cash in April 1998, he participated in a $100 + $15 No Limit Hold’em tournament at the Spring Challenge in Compton, where he finished in 8th place and took home $1,162.

Then, on June 16, 2005, Seif won the $1,500 Limit Hold’em Shootout at the 36th World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, taking 1st place and cashing $181,330 as well as earning his first WSOP bracelet.

A few days later, on June 22, 2005, he won the $1,500 No Limit Hold’em event at the same series, again finishing in 1st place and earning $611,145 along with his second WSOP bracelet.

Following these successes, in March 2007, Seif finished 4th in the $5,000 + $150 No Limit Hold’em Championship Event at the World Poker Challenge in Reno, cashing $159,478.

Furthermore, in September 2008, he placed 5th in the $9,600 + $400 No Limit Hold’em event at the World Poker Tour Borgata Poker Open in Atlantic City, earning $287,500.

More recently, on June 2021, he won the $800 No Limit Hold’em UltimateStack event at the DeepStack Championship Poker Series in Las Vegas, finishing in 1st place and earning $193,416.

In August 2024, he participated in the 18th Annual Arizona State Poker Championship in Scottsdale, where he finished 18th in a $1,130 No Limit Hold’em tournament and took home $17,074.

Conclusion

Mark Seif’s journey from attorney to accomplished poker player showcases his remarkable skill and adaptability in both legal and gaming arenas. With over $3.2 million in tournament winnings and two WSOP bracelets, he has solidified his status in the poker world. His ongoing participation in major tournaments highlights his enduring passion for the game and his commitment to excellence.