Brighton owner Tony Bloom has earned a fortune through poker and has brought that acumen to help Seagulls’ rise
They don’t call Tony Bloom “the Lizard” for no reason. The Brighton owner has earned almost $4m as a cold-blooded poker player and will be the proudest man in the Amex Stadium on Thursday nightwhen the team he rescued from the brink of extinction in 2009 make their debut on the European stage against AEK Athens.
After a three-year absence from the poker table, Bloom – who is said to have spent countless hours at the amusement arcades on Brighton pier as a child before studying maths at university and establishing his gambling empire – returned last year and won $360,000 (£290,000) in prize money. “I’ve always enjoyed playing poker, but life sometimes … there’s a lot going on with business, the football club and a young family,” he said. “I just heard about this tournament three days ago and pot-limit Omaha is my favourite game. Tough field, but I said I’ll give it a go.”
About Author
More Stories
Mitchell Starc risks big-money sacrifice after opting out of return to India and the IPL
Premier League and FA Cup final: 10 things to look out for this weekend
Rory McIlroy struggles with driver as debutant Gerard makes fast start to US PGA