Supreme Court attorney-turned-high-stakes poker player Thomas Goldstein is now facing federal tax fraud charges, but those who’ve sat across from him at the felt remember him as a fearless, unpredictable force in poker. Gambling author Michael Kaplan spoke with several of Goldstein’s opponents and fellow players about his high-stakes exploits.
From Supreme Court Briefs to Mega-Stakes Bets
Goldstein, described by the New York Times as a “secret high-stakes gambler,” spent more than a decade chasing life-changing pots. In 2024, just before federal indictments began rolling in, he appeared at Hustler Casino Live’s Million Dollar Game, anonymously entering as a European businessman known simply as “Thomas.”
Despite attempting to stay low-profile—wearing a facemask, hoodie, and hand tattoos—Goldstein’s aggressive style quickly stood out. Sources recall him wiring over $1 million to the casino and demanding short-handed, private tables, though top pros like Tom “durrrr” Dwan still found their way to his table.
The $543,000 “Muck”
One unforgettable hand saw Goldstein hit a rivered straight, bet $543,000, then mistakenly muck his winning hand. Observers in the control room were stunned:
“They were like, ‘What the fuck just happened?’”
Goldstein himself shrugged it off, later explaining that tax-return mistakes—not intentional fraud—led to his current legal troubles, while the poker slip was purely accidental.
Maniac With Method
High-stakes regulars describe Goldstein as a “disciplined maniac.” Bill Perkins, a hedge fund manager and fellow player, said:
“He’s gone from a complete maniac to a disciplined maniac. And a disciplined maniac is dangerous.”
Goldstein’s fearless approach allows him to put maximum pressure on opponents, often creating awkward decisions at the table. Rick Salomon added, “Tom has beaten most rich guys he played… and I don’t think anyone plays someone for huge money unless they think they can win.”
Life-Changing Hands and Wild Bets
Goldstein’s poker career includes stunning victories, such as a $26.4 million cash against a California businessman, alongside jaw-dropping losses like the million-dollar hand on Hustler Live. He’s even raced Dan Bilzerian’s Chevy Cobra for $300,000, an event Bilzerian described as showcasing Goldstein’s legendary lack of respect for money.
A near-death experience years ago reportedly transformed him both as a human and a player. Perkins recounted an African safari trip, noting that Goldstein’s outlook on life and poker had evolved significantly after the incident.
The Courtroom Is Now the Final Table
Goldstein’s most consequential hand may now be the one unfolding in a federal courtroom in Greenbelt, Maryland, with proceedings expected to last a month. Fellow players remain confident in his intellect and judgment. Perkins speculated:
“Highly unlikely for guilty… I think it ends in a plea and a fine.”
For poker insiders, Goldstein remains a legend: a Supreme Court lawyer who retired to play high-stakes poker, fearless at the table, and unpredictable with life-changing sums on the line. Salomon summed it up best:
“That alone is legendary.”
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