On and off the felt with Tony Miles

In 2018, Tony Miles reached poker stardom, finishing runner-up in the 2018 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. While grateful, the experience was bittersweet. “There’s this battle between feeling grateful for the life-changing money and disappointment at not becoming the world champion,” he recalls, knowing another shot at the title was rare.

Since that moment, Miles has been a fixture at the annual WSOP. As part of his preparation, three months before opening, Miles immerses himself into the online scene, coached by online poker pro Andrew Lichtenberger. 

“Every year before the WSOP, I hire a coach and start playing online tournaments because most of the best players in the world play online,” he explained. “I also work a lot on my mindset and physical fitness.”

Miles meditates, follows a ketogenic diet to keep the brain sharp, tracks his sleep patterns, and exercises regularly. His preparation paid off in 2024 with strong finishes at the Mid-States Poker Tour and Wynn Summer Classic.

Beyond poker, Miles is an adrenaline seeker. In 2021, his love for challenge saw him qualify for American Ninja Warrior. The physical demands were unlike anything he’d experienced at the poker table.

“I really took my physical training to a new level during that point,” he recalls. Miles reached the semi-finals but unfortunately, an injury set him back, requiring shoulder surgery and a year of recovery.

In early September 2024, Miles toured Asia and went canyoneering, rock climbing, swam with the whale sharks, and did some cliff diving in the Philippines and Thailand. He said the thrill of adventure keeps him grounded and helps him stay balanced.

Miles is currently at USOP Hai Phong eager to bring home his first ever trophy on Asian soil.

*Interviewed by Derick Elomina