Derick Elomina discovered poker at 14, playing home games with his high school friends. What began as a pastime quickly grew into a passion that shaped his career. By 21, he entered the poker industry as a field reporter — just old enough to step foot inside the casino. Starting as a hand reporter, he steadily honed his craft, blending sharp observation with growing writing skills. Known for his dedication, he constantly roams the floor to capture the action, conduct interviews, and deliver live updates. With a strong commitment to the game and a passion for telling poker’s stories, Derick continues to build his path in the industry.

Updated: 2026.03.07

Tony Miles is an American professional poker player who etched his name into poker history with one of the most resilient performances in the modern era of the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Best known as the runner-up of the 2018 WSOP Main Event, Miles became a fan favorite for his transparency about his past struggles and his elite technical play. Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, he has successfully transitioned from a breakout star to a consistent global circuit grinder, maintaining a high-level presence in both live and online arenas through 2026.

Career Earnings & Biggest Results

With total live tournament earnings now reaching $5,547,130 (according to The Hendon Mob), Tony Miles is a top-tier figure on the Florida All-Time Money List. His career-defining moment occurred in July 2018, when he finished 2nd in the WSOP $10,000 Main Event for a life-changing $5,000,000 after an epic 10-hour heads-up battle against John Cynn . Miles has remained a persistent threat through 2024 and 2025, recording a 3rd-place finish in a 2024 MSPT Venetian event for $87,600 and capturing a Wynn Summer Classic Turbo title. His immense tournament success contributes to an estimated poker net worth of over $6 million.

Major Tournament Results:

Year	Event	Prize
2018	WSOP $10,000 Main Event World Championship (2nd)	$5,000,000
2024	Venetian DeepStack Championship – MSPT $1,600 (3rd)	$87,600
2024	USOP Hai Phong ₫ 30,000,000 Main Event (5th)	$64,991
2025	WSOP $10,000 6-Handed Championship (76th)	$20,184

Biography & Poker Background

Born in 1986 in Ogden, Utah, and raised in Jacksonville, Florida , Tony Miles took a non-traditional path to poker stardom. A graduate of the University of North Florida, Miles was open about his battle with drug and alcohol addiction, creditng his recovery as the foundation for his mental strength at the table. He qualified for the 2018 Main Event via a satellite at bestbet Jacksonville, turning a modest investment into a $5 million payday. Since his breakout, Miles has become a global traveler, recording scores in Taiwan , Vietnam , Cambodia , and Europe. In 2026, he remains one of the most recognizable and respected ambassadors of the game, known for his focus on mental health and fitness as a means to sustain a professional career.

Play Style & Strategy

Miles is renowned for a “highly clinical, solver-influenced, yet intuitive” play style. During his 2018 heads-up battle, he demonstrated an elite ability to execute polarized 3-betting strategies and high-pressure jams, moves that analysts later confirmed were aligned with GTO (Game Theory Optimal) solutions. Strategically, he is a proponent of emotional equilibrium, famously staying composed during the longest heads-up match in Main Event history. He is a versatile No-Limit Hold’em specialist who has successfully adapted to the Short Deck and PLO formats, often leveraging his background in high-stakes cash games to out-navigate tournament opponents in post-flop scenarios. His 2026 approach continues to emphasize technical study and “exploitative balance” against varied field archetypes.

Want to follow “Storm253” as he continues his run through the 2026 circuit? You can find his profiles and updated stats here: