Antanas Guoga

Guoga spent his childhood in Kaunas and in the Alytus district (Kalesninkai) in Lithuania. When he was 11 years old, he moved to Australia. Guoga lived in Melbourne, where he graduated from school, and had various jobs, including repairing sewing machines and washing cars.

Guoga was a member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats group in the European Parliament until 4 October 2016. He became a member of the European People's Party which is the biggest party in the Parliament. He worked on a range of digital policies in the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO).{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/124763/ANTANAS_GUOGA_home.html|title=Antanas GUOGA|work=europa.eu}} Guoga was actively involved in a number of Digital Single Market topics. Being an entrepreneur himself, Guoga worked for better conditions for European businesses, especially in the technology sector. These conditions include smarter regulations, less red tape, and policies that encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.{{cite AV media|url=https://vimeo.com/106903304|title=European Voice interview with Antanas Guoga MEP|website=Vimeo.com}}

In 2015 Guoga was chosen as the Lithuanian representative in the POLITICO 28 list. The European affairs weekly newspaper chose one person from each of the European Union's 28 member-states who is "shaping, shaking and stirring Europe."{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.eu/list/politico-28/antanas-guoga/|title=ANTANAS GUOGA|website=Politico.eu|date=2 December 2015|access-date=7 August 2017}}

Guoga was elected as the vice-chairman of the European Parliament delegation to Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, appointed as a member of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, a substitute member of the delegation for relations with Switzerland and Norway in the EU-Iceland Joint Parliamentary Committee and in the European Economic Area (EEA) Joint Parliamentary Committee. He was also a substitute member in the Employment and Social Affairs Committee (EMPL).

Guoga is Coder Dojo and entrepreneurship education ambassador in Lithuania. In 2016, he launched Coder Dojo movement in Lithuania and was one of the organisers of programming clubs for 7–17 years old youth in the country.{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconrepublic.com/portfolio/2015/12/01/coderdojo-europe-mep-ambassadors|title=MEPs to be European ambassadors for CoderDojo|first=John|last=Kennedy|website=Siliconrepublic.com|date=1 December 2015|access-date=7 August 2017}}

For four years in a row, 2015, 2016 and 2017 he organized the biggest ICT and entrepreneurship event in the Baltics #SWITCH!

This event in 4 years has grown by 60% from 6000 participants in 2015 to 15000 in 2018. About 200 speakers from 16 countries already participated in the event. Among them was vice-president of the European Commission for the Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip, Vytenis Andriukaits, EC Commissioner and representatives of tech leaders such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Facebook, Uber, Allegro, Dash, Dell, Oath, Nasdaq, Mastercard, Tele2{{cite web|url=http://www.switch.lt|title=switch.lt – mod it, crack it, play it|website=Switch.lt|access-date=1 February 2018}}

In 2016–2017, Guoga was Chief Investment Officer to the Mayor of Vilnius, Remigijus Šimašius.{{cite web|url=http://www.antanasguoga.lt/naujienos/naujienos/antanas-guoga-will-help-attract-new-investments-to-vilnius-1296.htm|title=Antanas Guoga Will Help Attract New Investments to Vilnius|access-date=7 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807193831/http://www.antanasguoga.lt/naujienos/naujienos/antanas-guoga-will-help-attract-new-investments-to-vilnius-1296.htm|archive-date=7 August 2017|url-status=dead}}

Guoga was nominated as a candidate for the European parliamentary elections at the summer congress of the Liberal Movement in the last week of June 2013.

Guoga was second on the list of the Lithuanian Liberal Movement in the elections to the European Parliament in 2014, and was elected as the MEP with 97,907 votes ending on top of the list.{{cite web|url=http://www.15min.lt/naujiena/rinkimai/europos-parlamento-rinkimai-2014/liberalu-sajudzio-pirmininkas-eligijus-masiulis-810-429168?cf=df|title=Liberalų sąjūdžio pirmininkas Eligijus Masiulis: švenčiame istorinę pergalę|author=Jurgita Lapienytė|date=26 May 2014|website=15min.lt}}

After the corruption allegations of Eligijus Masiulis, Guoga became a temporary chairman of the Liberal Movement. After public criticism by the party members, Guoga left the party on 17 May 2016.{{cite web | last=Jackevičius | first=Mindaugas | title=A. Guoga traukiasi iš Liberalų sąjūdžio | website=Delfi | date=2016-05-17 | url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/a-guoga-traukiasi-is-liberalu-sajudzio-71292634 | language=lt | access-date=2024-12-27}}

On 9 March 2019, Guoga announced that he would seek re-election to the European Parliament with the Lithuanian Centre Party.{{Cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/a/80575539|title=Antanas Guoga dalyvaus Europos Parlamento rinkimuose|website=Delfi.lt|access-date=1 November 2021}} The party received 5.13% of the national vote and did not receive any representatives in the European Parliament.

In November 2020 he was elected to Lithuanian national parliament, the Seimas, as a member of the electoral list of the Labour Party{{Cite web |date=25 October 2020 |title=The Labor Party did not choose to wait for the results, and A.Guoga stated: "I have landed on the ground" |url=https://tekdeeps.com/the-labor-party-did-not-choose-to-wait-for-the-results-and-a-guoga-stated-i-have-landed-on-the-ground/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213054756/https://tekdeeps.com/the-labor-party-did-not-choose-to-wait-for-the-results-and-a-guoga-stated-i-have-landed-on-the-ground/ |archive-date=13 February 2023 |access-date=2 December 2023 |website=Tekdeeps.com}}{{Cite web |title=Antanas Guoga - Members of the Seimas |url=https://www.lrs.lt/sip/portal.show?p_r=38249&p_k=2&p_a=498&p_asm_id=84605 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108041516/https://www.lrs.lt/sip/portal.show?p_r=38249&p_k=2&p_a=498&p_asm_id=84605 |archive-date=8 January 2021 |access-date=26 November 2020}} He resigned his seat three months later, after falling out with the chairman of the Labour Party

Viktor Uspaskich.{{cite news |title=Oficialu: Guoga atsisakė Seimo nario mandato, į parlamentą grįžta Skardžius |url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/oficialu-guoga-atsisake-seimo-nario-mandato-i-parlamenta-grizta-skardzius-86515679 |access-date=5 June 2025 |agency=ELTA |publisher=Delfi.lt |date=19 February 2021}}

{{Infobox poker player

|name=Tony G

|nickname=

|image=Antanas Guoga.jpg

|birth_date={{birth date and age|1973|12|17|df=y}}

|caption=Tony G at the 2008 World Series of Poker

|hometown=Kaunas, Lithuania

|wsop bracelet count=None

|wsop money finishes=15

|wsop main event best finish rank=None

|wsop main event best finish year=

|wpt titles=0

|wpt final tables=2

|wpt money finishes=4

}}

As a child, Guoga was the Rubik's Cube champion of Lithuania before moving to Melbourne, Australia, at the age of 11.{{Cite web |last=Waller |first=Luke |date=2 December 2015 |title=ANTANAS GUOGA |url=https://www.politico.eu/list/politico-28/antanas-guoga/ |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=POLITICO |language=en-GB}} He has played poker since the age of 18, and is known for his outlandish table talk and frequent attempts at intimidation of his opponents. He had a fifth-place finish in the World Poker Tour Grand Prix de Paris 2003.{{Cite web |title=Euro Finals of Poker 2003, No Limit Hold'em - WPT |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=1351 |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}} He finished in the money twice at the 2004 World Series of Poker in Seven-card stud and Pot Limit Texas hold 'em tournaments.{{Cite web |title=35th World Series of Poker - WSOP 2004, Seven Card Stud |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=6590 |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=35th World Series of Poker - WSOP 2004, Pot Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=6593 |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}} Three months later he earned his then biggest tournament money finish in the WPT Grand Prix de Paris 2004, where his second-place finish to England's Surinder Sunar earned him $414,478.{{Cite web |title=Rendez Vous a Paris, Grand Prix de Paris / WPT - No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=7431 |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}} He finished on the bubble later in the same month at the WPT 2004 Mirage Poker Showdown.{{Cite web |title=2004 Mirage Poker Showdown, No Limit Hold'em Final Day |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=7397 |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}} On 7 August 2005 he won the £5,000 no-limit Texas hold 'em Main Event of the European Poker Championships, earning £260,000.{{Cite web |title=The European Poker Championships, Main Event - No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=12191 |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}} Later in 2005, he made the final table of the World Speed Poker Open.{{Cite web |title=World Speed Poker Open, Final |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=15690 |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}}

In 2006, he won the WPT Bad Boys of Poker II event when his {{cards|10♦|8♦}} outdrew Mike Matusow's {{cards|K♠|K♥}} on a board of {{Cards|8♠|10♠|2♥|9♥|Q♣}}.{{Cite web |title=World Poker Tour - WPT Bad Boys of Poker II, No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=17366 |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}} He wore a kimono throughout the event to promote poker in Japan. Also in 2006, he finished second to Yosh Nakano while representing Australia in the inaugural Intercontinental Poker Championship, taking down $150,000. True to his reputation, Tony G launched many verbal assaults against his opponents, most notably when he eliminated Russian Ralph Perry in fourth place. Tony G started to provoke Perry when he was deciding how to play his hand before the flop. When Perry called Tony G's all-in with a worse hand (K-J), Tony G proceeded to ridicule and lecture him. Tony's comments were so scathing that it prompted commentator Gabe Kaplan to quip "I think Tony G is speaking more like a Lithuanian than an Australian" and "Tony G could single-handedly reignite the Cold War".{{cite web|url=http://tonyg.pokerworks.com/2006/04/tony-g-is-in-the-final.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061118213450/http://tonyg.pokerworks.com/2006/04/tony-g-is-in-the-final.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 November 2006|title=Tony G is in the final|date=18 November 2006|access-date=7 August 2017}} Guoga was more respectful of some other players, such as Doyle Brunson, calling Doyle his idol after eliminating him.

In November 2006, he won the Asian Poker Tour event held in Singapore, walking away with $451,700,{{Cite web |title=Asian Poker Tour - Betfair APT Singapore, Championship Event - No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=23873 |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}} half of which he indicated he will give to Asian and Australian charities to be nominated by Betfair.{{Cite web|url=http://www.betfairasianpokertour.com/news_article.php?aid=45|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127111040/http://www.betfairasianpokertour.com/news_article.php?aid=45|url-status=dead|title=Betfair Asian Poker Tour: Tony Guoga wins Betfair Asian Poker Tour Main Event|archive-date=27 January 2007|access-date=1 November 2021}} In February 2007, he appeared on the NBC television program Poker After Dark, coming in third place behind winner Phil Ivey.{{Cite web |title=Poker After Dark (PAD) Season I, Week 4 - Earphones Please |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=26378 |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}} In November of the same year, he won a tournament in Moscow, earning $205,000.{{Cite web |title=Moscow Millions, Moscow Millions Main Event - No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=29170 |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}} Often telling his opponents that he has a "big heart", Guoga claims that he left all of his prize money with the officials to give to Russian orphanages, having been inspired to do so by Barry Greenstein's habit of donating all his poker tournament winnings to charity.{{cite web|url=http://tonyg.pokerworks.com/2007/12/moscow-millions.html#more-289|title=Tony G's blog: 2007 Moscow Millions Main Event|access-date=7 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090526032249/http://tonyg.pokerworks.com/2007/12/moscow-millions.html#more-289|archive-date=26 May 2009|url-status=dead}} In January 2008, Guoga received the Shining World Leadership Award in Melbourne Australia.[http://mywonderful.godsdirectcontact.net/award/en/news/lea20080807141723541.htm]{{dead link|date=July 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} In the 2008 WSOP, he finished sixth in a $5,000 No Limit Deuce to Seven Draw tournament for $78,075.{{Cite web |title=39th World Series of Poker - WSOP 2008, No Limit Deuce to Seven Draw |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=29691 |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}}

In 2009, Guoga was a founding inductee into the Australian Poker Hall of Fame.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pokernetwork.com/news/the-australian-poker-hall-of-fame4417.htm|title=The Australian Poker Hall of Fame|last=Pears|first=Maurie|date=4 January 2009|website=PokerNetwork.com}} In May of that year, he had a third-place finish in the European High Roller Championship at the EPT in Monte Carlo for €420,000.{{Cite web |title=European Poker Tour - EPT Monte Carlo Grand Final, No Limit Hold'em - European High Roller Championship |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=35334 |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}}

On 23 February 2010, in Vilnius, Guoga established the Lithuanian Poker Federation.{{cite web|url=http://lspf.lt/apie/lspf-veiklos-strategija|title=LSPF veiklos strategija - LSPF – Lietuvos sportinio pokerio federacija|website=Lspf.lt}}

Tony G occasionally plays high-stakes cash game poker. In 2018, he took part in the PartyPoker "The Big Game" High-Stakes PLO cash game alongside poker pros like Isildur1, Sam Trickett and casino owner Rob Yong.{{Cite web |last=Cross |first=Valerie |date=24 January 2018 |title=The Big Game Returns with PLO Edition at partypoker MILLIONS Germany |url=https://www.pokernews.com/news/2018/01/the-big-game-plo-edition-at-partypoker-millions-germany-29804.htm |access-date=15 February 2018 |website=PokerNews.com}}

In October 2019, Guoga had a fourth-place finish in the €250,000 No Limit Hold'em - Super High Roller event at the 2019 WSOP Europe in Rozvadov. He won €799,045.{{Cite web |title=World Series of Poker Europe - WSOPE 2019, No Limit Hold'em - Super High Roller (Event #4) |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=582851 |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}} In August 2021, Guoga won a $100,000 No Limit Short Deck Hold'em event at the Super High Roller Bowl in Kyrenia for $1,196,000.{{Cite web |title=Merit Poker presents Super High Roller Bowl Europe (SHRB), No Limit Short Deck Hold'em - SHRB Europe Event 07 |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=754475 |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}} In May 2022, he earned his largest live tournament cash with a runner-up finish in the Triton Poker Series for $1,389,436.{{Cite web |title=Triton Poker Series Madrid, No Limit Short Deck Hold'em - SD Main Event (Event #12) |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=823171 |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}}

As of 2023, his total live tournament winnings exceed $11,200,000.{{Cite web |title=Antanas Guoga's profile on The Hendon Mob |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=267 |access-date=2 December 2023 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en}} His 20 cashes at the WSOP account for $1,886,714 of those winnings.{{Cite web |title=Tony G |url=https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=746 |access-date=31 March 2024 |website=WSOP.com}}

File:Antanas Guoga by Augustas Didzgalvis.jpg]]

Guoga is currently a major sponsor of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation. When the country's national team failed to directly qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey and had to apply for a wild-card entry, he paid a large share of the application fee of €500,000. The team was chosen for the tournament, and won the bronze medal with TONYBET printed on their jerseys.{{cite magazine |last=Winn |first=Luke |date=15 August 2011 |title=Lithuania Calling |magazine=Sports Illustrated |volume=115 |issue=6 |pages=52–56}} He was the national basketball team's manager from 2010 until 2012 and served as the vice-president of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation. He was also the main sponsor of BC Prienai, a professional basketball club.

In 2014, Guoga became the vice-president of the Lithuanian Rowing Federation.{{cite web|url=http://www.15min.lt/naujiena/sportas/kita/antanas-guoga-tapo-lietuvos-irklavimo-federacijos-viceprezidentu-26-415565|title=Antanas Guoga tapo Lietuvos irklavimo federacijos viceprezidentu|date=28 March 2014|website=15min.lt|access-date=21 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331001533/http://www.15min.lt/naujiena/sportas/kita/antanas-guoga-tapo-lietuvos-irklavimo-federacijos-viceprezidentu-26-415565|archive-date=31 March 2014|url-status=dead}}

Guoga is director and CEO of Cypherpunk Holdings.{{Cite web |title=Team Archive |url=https://cypherpunkholdings.com/team/ |access-date=1 November 2021 |website=Cypherpunkholdings.com}}

{{See also|Paradise Papers}}

In November 2017 an investigation conducted by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalism cited his name in the list of politicians named in "Paradise Papers" allegations.{{Cite news |title=Explore The Politicians in the Paradise Papers |url=https://www.icij.org/investigations/paradise-papers/explore-politicians-paradise-papers/ |access-date=6 December 2017 |website=Icij.org |language=en-US}}

• 2004 WPT – Grand Prix de Paris – 2nd place
• 2005 European Poker Championships – 1st place
• 2006 Intercontinental Poker Championship – Grand Final – 2nd place
• 2006 Betfair Asian Poker Tour – 1st place
• 2007 World Series Of Poker – Europe, London – 3rd place
• 2007 Moscow Millions, Main Event – 1st place
• 2008 Shining World Leadership Award
• 2008 PartyPoker Premier League Poker III – 2nd place
• 2009 40th World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2009, Anniversary Event – 10th place
• 2009 EPT – Grand Final (Monte Carlo), High Roller Championship – 3rd place
• 2010 Aussie Millions Poker Championship, A$100k Challenge – 5th place
• 2010 The Poker Lounge, Episode 10 - 1st place
• 2010 WPT London High Roller – 2nd place
• 2011 delfi.lt readers recognized him as the Lithuanian of the World
• 2011 Verslo švyturys Award
• 2012 Aussie Millions Poker Championship, A$100k Challenge – 4th place
• 2012 PartyPoker Premier League Poker V – 5th place
• 2015 POLITICO 28 list (28 people from the European Union’s 28 member states who are transforming European politics)
• 2016 A. Guoga was included in the POLITICO 40 list as one of the most influential MEPs.{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/list/the-40-meps-who-actually-matter-european-parliament-mep/antanas-guoga/|title=ANTANAS GUOGA|website=Politico.eu|date=19 May 2016|access-date=1 February 2018}}
• 2017 MEP Antanas Guoga, the only member of the European Parliament and Lithuanian to be included in the TOP 200 list of Philanthropists and Social Entrepreneurs, compiled by the positive content portal Richtopia.{{Cite web |date=31 March 2017 |title=MEP Guoga is included in list of Top 200 Philanthropists in the world |url=https://en.delfi.lt/eu/mep-guoga-is-included-in-list-of-top-200-philanthropists-in-the-world.d?id=74226700 |access-date=1 February 2018 |website=En.delfi.lt}}

Since 2014, Guoga has been married to Aistė Šlapokaitė,{{cite web|url=http://www.lrytas.lt/pramogos/zmones/antanas-guoga-savo-mylimaja-aiste-nusivede-ir-prie-altoriaus.htm|title=Antanas Guoga savo mylimąją Aistę nusivedė ir prie altoriaus|date=17 August 2014|website=Lrytas.lt|access-date=6 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206154258/http://www.lrytas.lt/pramogos/zmones/antanas-guoga-savo-mylimaja-aiste-nusivede-ir-prie-altoriaus.htm|archive-date=6 February 2015|url-status=dead}} a former psychology student and a photo model for clothing brands like Armani Jeans, Prada and Max Mara. Guoga and Šlapokaitė met during her 30th birthday celebrations in a Vilnius night club.{{cite web|url=http://www.alfa.lt/straipsnis/14830188/milijonieriaus-guogos-drauge-pasakiskai-teigiama-manekene|title=Milijonieriaus Guogos draugė – pasakiškai "teigiama" manekenė|website=Alfa.lt|access-date=7 August 2017}} Together they have two sons (Herkus, born in 2015 in Brussels and Tauras, born in 2016 in Vilnius).{{Cite web|url=https://www.15min.lt/vardai/naujiena/lietuva/aiste-ir-antanas-guogos-antra-sunu-pavadino-tauru-ir-pasidalijo-pirma-berniuko-nuotrauka-1050-708473|title=Aistė ir Antanas Guogos antrą sūnų pavadino Tauru ir pasidalijo pirma berniuko nuotrauka|website=15min.lt|access-date=1 November 2021}} Guoga also has a son and three daughters from previous relationships.{{cite web|url=http://www.delfi.lt/klubas/tv/apie-praeities-klystkelius-prabiles-antanas-guoga-del-visu-pasibaigusiu-santykiu-buvau-kaltas-as.d?id=65714250|title=Apie praeities klystkelius prabilęs Antanas Guoga: dėl visų pasibaigusių santykių buvau kaltas aš|website=Delfi.lt|access-date=7 August 2017}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.antanasguoga.lt/}}
• [https://cardplayerlifestyle.com/the-heart-of-a-champion-an-interview-with-tony-g/ Tony G. Interview]
• [https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=267 Hendon Mob profile]
• [https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=746 WSOP profile]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Guoga, Antanas}}

Category:1973 births

Category:Living people

Category:Lithuanian poker players

Category:World Poker Tour winners

Category:Gambling writers

Category:Poker players from Melbourne

Category:MEPs for Lithuania 2014–2019

Category:Liberal Movement (Lithuania) politicians

Category:Lithuanian Centre Party politicians

Category:Labour Party (Lithuania) politicians

Category:Businesspeople from Kaunas

Category:Businesspeople from Vilnius

Category:People named in the Paradise Papers