Mark Seif
Mark Seif is a guy who seems like he has been around the poker world forever, but in reality, he has only been a pro since 2001. Since his infamous televised fourth place finish at the 2002 WPT Legends of Poker (don’t bring up the name Hon Le to him), Mark’s stock has skyrocketed.
Mark began playing, by his recollection, at age “six or seven,” although he says he and his mom disagree on exactly when it was he learned poker. He began playing high stakes cash games when he was nineteen years old at Commerce Casino. Yes, you must be twenty-one to play, but he looked older than he was, so he was able to get into the casino without being carded.
Before turning pro, Mark was a successful attorney, but grew tired of all the tedious work that went into being a lawyer. He loved trying cases, but couldn’t stand everything else that went along with it.
At the table, Mark is one of those guys that people tend to like or dislike. There isn’t much in between with him. He is very aggressive, willing to play any two cards if the conditions present themselves, and he is not afraid to talk it up at the table. He has no qualms about taking little verbal jabs at his opponents…not to the extent that guys like Phil Hellmuth, Tony G, or Mike Matusow do…but he’s a talker, nonetheless. He is known as Mark "The Shark" Seif, due to his aggressive style of play and also because he worked as a Prosecutor for the DA's office in Los Angeles, before he decided to go full time as a poker pro. Mark is never mean-spirited, though. His talk is usually all in fun, but it doesn’t hurt when he’s able to get into his opponent’s head a bit.
Mark’s gigantic moment in the sun came during the 2005 World Series of Poker, when he won two bracelets in the span of one week. In fact, he won them back-to-back, as he did not play in another tournament in between.
Away from the tables, Mark is an exceedingly friendly guy, willing to share his time with fans whenever possible. If you met him away from a casino, you would have no idea that he was a high-stakes poker pro.
Mark Seif Fun Facts and Finishes
- Has a wife, Jennifer and two daughters.
- Lists Tony Ma, Isaac Chen, Carl McKelvey, and Bobby Hoff as the players he most respects.
- Won two WSOP bracelets back to back in 2005 in the $1,500 Limit Hold'em Shootout and the $ 1,500 No Limit Hold'em events.
- Won the $2,500 7 Card Stud event at the 2005 United States Poker Championships.
- Won the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em event at the 2004 Legends of Poker.
- Was one of the early resident online poker pros, representing Absolute Poker.
- He was a commentator for the Professional Poker Tour television series which aired on the Travel Channel from 2006 to 2007.
World Series of Poker Bracelets
| Year | Tournament | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | $1,500 Limit Hold'em | $181,330 |
| 2005 | $1,500 No Limit Hold'em | $611,145 |
