Tony Bloom

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**Tony Bloom**
Tony Bloom in the World Poker Tour World Poker Challenge event
Nickname(s)	The Lizard
Hometown	London, UK
World Series of Poker
Bracelet(s)	None
Money finishes	10(+1)
Highest ITM main event finish	512th (2006)
World Poker Tour
Titles	None
Final tables	1
Money Finishes	2
European Poker Tour
Titles	None
Final tables	None
Money finishes	1

Anthony (Tony) Grant "The Lizard" Bloom (born 20 March 1970 in Brighton, Sussex) is a professional poker player from London, England. He has also made a name for himself as a successful sports trader and property investor. His nickname is an alias given to him by an old friend who claimed he had alligator blood.

He appeared in the Late Night Poker television series and also has a final table appearance on the World Poker Tour. Tony also made back-to-back final table appearances in the first two Poker Million events.

His first major win came in January 2004 when he won the Australasian Poker Championship in Melbourne, collecting a first prize of around $AUS 420,000($320,000, £180,000)).

Bloom won the £5,000 No Limit Hold'em VC Poker Cup Final in London on 5 August 2005 and won the £200,000 ($351,401) first prize.

He also had a fourth place finish in the 2005 World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions. After being eliminated, Phil Hellmuth Jr told him of the "great respect" he had for Bloom's game.

Bloom was a member of the winning British team in the 888.com Poker Nations Cup.

He is considered one of the most popular players on the circuit, and considers Mike Sexton to be his favourite player.

As of 2006, his total live tournament winnings exceed $1,500,000.

[edit] Trivia

Bloom has his own box at Chelsea F.C..
Bloom's uncle Ray is the director of Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.. In May 2006 Bloom revealed he had a 15% stake in the club's shares.
Bloom's older brother Darren (nicknamed "The Snake") also plays poker and has appeared on televised poker tournaments.