Erik Friberg was born in April of 1983 in Stockholm, Sweden. Friberg is a professional poker player from Stockholm, Sweden. Friberg had his first major success in the poker scene at the 2006 World Series of Poker main event where he astonished everyone and finished in 8th place, almost making it to the final table and walking away with $1,979,189. Friberg did not slow down after the big win, he continued on to the 2007 World Series of Poker (WSOP) with his best placing being 3rd in the $5000 No Limit Hold’ em – six handed event, where he earned $345,582 for his day at work.

Erik Friberg has not been shy when expressing his views that Swedish poker players are the best in the world, since he made the final table in the 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event and winning almost $2 million, he has some rights to his arrogance.

Friberg learned to play poker when he was just a teenager, gathering friends for Texas Hold’ em games he quickly surpassed them in skill. Friberg was ultimately banned from participating in any of the high school poker tournaments. Friberg had to turn his attentions to the internet for his gaming, he earned enough money and gained confidence enough to quit his university in 2004 and decided to try his hand at professional poker. It took awhile for Friberg to find his groove, but his groove he did find, after a few huge online tournaments that ended badly, he had a few right after that gained him enough money to travel and begin the live tournament circuit.

Friberg made his name more known when he played in the 2004 European Poker Tour Barcelona Open Main Event where he finished in 26th place, Friberg knew he could do better and better he did when he went on to win first place in the Swedish Poker Challenge No-Limit Hold’ em event and earned himself $87,287.

In the 2006 World Series of Poker, Friberg was the name on the lips of all the professional poker fans and players. He won his main seat at the main event by playing online at the internet poker site PokerStars.com. Friberg was an unknown player and as he barreled his way through the tournament with his extreme aggressive playing techniques he had earned a sizable prize as well as fourth place finish.

Friberg’s aggressive game play came back to bite him when he went “All In” against the large stack and the one who eventually won the tournament, Jamie Gold took him out with a pair of ladies. Friberg still walked away with $1,979,189.

Friberg who has been known as “LilarErik” , with the “Lilar” meaning gambler in Swedish slang. Friberg just as many other online gamblers, has never held a real job, he considers the professional poker playing to be “work” and treats it as such. Friberg spends many hours each day perfecting his skills.

Friberg excels in heads-up play and is primarily an online and cash game player. If history shows any insight in to the future, we will continue to see Friberg dominate in the tournaments.

As of 2008 Friberg’s total live tournament winnings exceed $2,500,000.