Seat 4: Tom Bedell, 65, from Norway, lives in Benidorm, Spain – 1,140,000
Tom Bedell has been playing poker for many, many years, but has enjoyed a spectacular breakout EPT event here in Malta—at the grand age of 65.
Bedell has been irresistible during this tournament, involved in some of the biggest hands and almost always sitting behind the biggest stack. He bagged overwhelming chip leads heading into both Days 4 and 5, before booking his place in the last five players to play the final day.
Originally from Norway, he is now based principally in Benidorm, Spain, which he first visited in 1967. He is now retired, but previously owned a hotel and seven restaurants in the resort town. Travel remains a passion, and when he’s not playing poker, he divides his time between Spain, Norway and Ecuador.
He considers PLO to be his main game, and his biggest results have all come in the four-card variant. He even claimed not to really know how to play hold’em, despite this incredible run. (And despite a fourth-place finish in a $25K High Roller Hold’em tournament at the PCA.) He has more than $5 million in documented tournament winnings.
Bedell has a wife supporting him via the stream, and says his two daughters also occasionally watch him play. He is also a proud grandfather to one grandson.
Player profiles courtesy of Jan Kores/Florence Mazet/Howard Swains