Poker Pro Tony G Now Running For EU Parliament Seat

Antanas “Tony G” Guoga has announced that next year he will be running for a seat in the European Parliament, declaring on his Facebook page: “I’m going to EU Parliament in Brussels to change Lithuania. I made second on the list as a candidate for the Liberal Party and I can’t tell you how excited and happy I am about it.”
Tony G’s announcement may initially come as quite a surprise to those in the poker community who know him, as in addition to being one of poker’s top pros with $4,862,342 in winnings to his name, the Lithuanian-Australian is also one of the game’s most outspoken players with his frequent rants and tirades against fellow players the stuff of tv poker legend.
Some of Tony G’s victims in the past include UK’s Toby Lewis, who he called a “disgrace” and “jerk”, Andy Robl, whom he called “a shameful example of a modern internet player,” and Phil Ivey, who after the Full Tilt debacle was accused of being “the first rat to jump off the sinking ship.” Perhaps Guoga’s most infamous encounter, however, took place while representing Australia in the Intercontinental Poker Championship, when he launched into a verbal assault against Russian opponent Ralph Perry, prompting commentator Gabe Kaplan to quip:
“I think Tony G is speaking more like a Lithuanian than an Australian..Tony G could singlehandedly reignite the Cold War.”
Despite his un-statesmanlike behaviour at the poker tables, however,  the 39-year-old is an extremely successful businessman who is also strongly involved with many organizations in his native Lithuania. In fact, only last year Tony G was honoured with the Lithuanian Business Lighthouse Award, which acknowledged his tireless efforts promoting the country and the untold philanthropic work he has done with various local charities.
Nevertheless, those expecting Guoga to drastically change his diplomatic style as a EU Parliament may be disappointed as at the end of his surprise blog announcement he took the opportunity to berate John McCain. The former U.S. Presidential candidate was recently spotted playing internet poker during a crucial senate meeting, prompting Tony G to quip:
“One thing you can count on in my new political world – there will be no online poker played on a phone or laptop during debates on my watch!”