(Featured image: courtesy of Unibet Open)
Back in the late 1990s, a teenage tennis player from Finland was stuck in bed with a serious back injury, playing $50 poker games with his buddies just to pass time.
Fast forward to today, Patrik Antonius has built an incredible poker career with over $30 million in documented tournament winnings. His $1.978 million pot on live stream became one of the most iconic moments in poker.
After years of dominating both tournaments and high-stakes cash games, Antonius earned his place in the Poker Hall of Fame in 2024.
Today, we’ll have a closer look at how this Finnish legend has built his impressive Patrik Antonius net worth.
| Full Name: Patrik Antonius | |
| DOB: December 13, 1980 | |
| Birthplace: Helsinki, Finland | |
| Profession: Pro poker player | |
| Wife: Maya Geller | |
| WSOP Cashes: 26 | |
| Net Worth & Career Earnings: $33+ Million |
Disclaimer: Only Pat knows his actual net worth. We can only estimate based on publicly available sources and the usual stakes he plays.
Who Is Patrik Antonius? (Early Life & Background)
The Vantaa native was born on December 13, 1980, in Helsinki, Finland, before his family moved to the suburb of Hakunila in Vantaa where he grew up. Just like Miss Finland 2012, Sara Chafak, he is of Finnish descent.
When he was young, Antonius studied and showed incredible promise as a tennis player, dreaming of making it big on the professional circuit.
His athletic career took a devastating turn when he suffered a severe back injury as a teenager, forcing him out of training for a year and a half. (This is somewhat similar to Ali Imsirovic‘s story).
During this downtime, he discovered poker through $50 home games with friends, initially just as a way to pass time during his recovery.
The injury bug struck again a few years later, ending his tennis dreams for good, but by then poker had already captured his attention.
He tried his hand at various jobs including modeling, waiting tables, door-to-door sales, and even coaching tennis, but nothing matched the thrill he found at the poker table.
When he turned 18, Antonius took his $25 bankroll to a local casino in Helsinki and walked out with $260. It was pretty solid poker skills for a beginner.
Of course, being young and inexperienced meant plenty of ups and downs, including going completely broke several times before finding his footing.
The turning point came when he met his mentor Marcel Luske and became part of the “Circle of Outlaws,” where Luske’s guidance helped him develop the disciplined approach that would define his career.
After learning proper bankroll management and playing smart, he built momentum that led to his breakthrough at the 2005 WSOP, where despite only cashing in three events, he was recognized as a competitively aggressive player.
Currently, he resides in Monte Carlo, Monaco, with his wife Maya Geller-Antonius, whom he met in 2008, and their two daughters.
The couple maintains homes in both Monte Carlo and Las Vegas, splitting their time between both locations throughout the year.
Patrik Antonius Net Worth 2025
Now…
Let’s talk about Patrik Antonius net worth, keeping in mind that only he himself could provide the exact figure.
However, our analysis and reasonable estimate is based on publicly available sources, like his tournament winnings, private high stakes cash games, and various business ventures.
So, how much is Patrik Antonius worth?
Current estimates place his net worth between $30-50 million, with most sources agreeing that tournament winnings account for less than half of his total wealth.
This estimate seems reasonable considering his documented tournament earnings exceed $30 million, plus his legendary status in high-stakes cash games where he’s won some of the largest pots in poker history.
The Finnish pro has also diversified his income through business ventures like his FLOP (First Land of Poker) platform and various real estate investments, adding multiple revenue streams beyond the felt.
EPT Baden 2005: The Hand That Changed Everything
The poker legend burst onto the international poker scene at the 2005 European Poker Tour Baden Main Event, a tournament that would define his entire career trajectory.
The event took place in Baden, Austria, in September 2005, just one month after he had finished third in the EPT Barcelona Main Event for €117,000.
This back-to-back success on the EPT circuit was remarkable for someone still relatively new to the professional poker scene.
In the final hand against Norwegian player Gunnar Østebrød, Antonius held ace-king suited while his opponent showed ace-jack.
The community cards fell in Antonius’s favor, and he claimed more than $300,000 as first prize along with his first major international title.
This victory was his defining moment because it proved he could compete with and defeat Europe’s best players on the biggest stage.
The win immediately elevated his status in the poker world and opened doors to high-stakes cash games and television appearances.
The impact on his career was immediate and lasting. The EPT Baden victory gave him the credibility and bankroll to move into the nosebleed stakes cash games where he would make most of his fortune.
It also marked the beginning of his reputation as one of the most fearless and skilled tournament players of his generation, setting the stage for over two decades of poker excellence.
Poker Career Highlights
For over 20 years, Patrik Antonius has held his own at the highest levels of poker.
His tournament results and iconic cash game wins have both played a major role in building his net worth and solidifying his place in the game.
Here are some of the major milestones that shaped his career:
- Won the 2009 Durrrr Challenge against Tom Dwan in epic online battles.
- Won the 2005 WPT Bellagio event where he went against Doyle Brunson.
- Won the 2024 $200,000 Special Triton Invitational for a career-high $5.1 million.
- Captured the 2024 EPT Monte Carlo €100,000 Super High Roller for €1,967,440.
- Finished runner-up in the 2005 Five Diamond World Poker Classic for over $1 million.
- Placed third in the 2007 WSOP $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship for $311,394.
- Won the 2005 EPT Baden Main Event for €288,180, his breakthrough international title.
- Got inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2024, becoming the first European since 2017.
These are just a few highlights from a career spent battling the toughest lineups in the game. Next, let’s take a look at his biggest tournament wins up-to-date.
Top 5 Poker Tournament Winnings
Antonius has built his name by consistently showing up in the biggest games and holding his own against the best.
When it comes to tournaments, he keeps things tight and straightforward. He plays his game, stays composed, and lets the hands play out.
Have a look at his biggest tournament winnings up-to-date:
2024 Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Monte Carlo
Pat captured his biggest career cash in spectacular fashion at last year’s Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Monte Carlo, taking home an incredible $5.1 million for his victory in the $200,000 Special Triton Invitational.
The tournament attracted an elite field of high-stakes specialists, but Antonius navigated through the competition successfully.
In the final stages, he found himself up against some of the world’s most accomplished tournament players, including several who had previously bested him in similar events. He faced Vladimir Korzinin of Estonia heads-up in the $200,000 Special Triton Invitational.
When heads-up play began, he maintained his composure under pressure and closed out the victory with calculated play. In the end, Antonius prevailed garnering both the cash prize and the title.
Watch how the final table unfolded in the video below.
This win not only represented his largest single tournament score but also proved that even after two decades in the game, he remains one of the most dangerous players in the world.
The victory came just months after his Poker Hall of Fame induction, adding another prestigious title to his already impressive resume.
Antonius later said the win felt extra special because it happened in Monte Carlo, which he considers his home turf after living there since 2008.
Other Notable Tournament Cashes
- 2nd Place 2018 Super High Roller Bowl China – $3,151,734
- 1st Place 2024 EPT Monte-Carlo – $2,124,835
- 3rd Place 2023 Triton Super High Roller Series Cyprus – $2,100,000
- 4th Place 2024 Triton Super High Roller Series Jeju – $1,697,000
Another momentous moment in his career came in 2024, where he won his second EPT title at the Monte Carlo €100,000 Super High Roller.
He defeated a stacked final table that included Ben Heath, Stephen Chidwick, and Christoph Vogelsang.
The star came into the final table as chip leader and maintained his advantage throughout, with the key hand coming when his king-jack suited held against Ben Heath’s pocket tens in a crucial four-bet pot.
He closed out the tournament by defeating Vogelsang heads-up, with his dominated ace holding against Vogelsang’s weaker ace to secure over $2 million first prize.
Aside from tournaments, he also regularly played (on TV and not) with other poker stars like Daniel Negreanu, Phil Laak, Antonio Esfandiari, Joe Hachem, Phil Hellmuth, Nick Cassavetes, Phil Ivey, and others.
Poker Hall of Fame 2024
The poker legend had a strong 2024, with win after win throughout the year.
But WAIT! There’s more!
Patrik Antonius was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in July 2024 during the World Series of Poker, becoming the 63rd player to receive the honor.
He’d been nominated before in 2020, but this time the votes lined up. The decision recognized his impact on the game, especially in high-stakes cash and tournament play, and his longevity at the top.
He was chosen over other notable finalists like John Cernuto and Isai Scheinberg. At the ceremony in Las Vegas, Antonius kept things honest.
He said the recognition felt unexpected at his age but meaningful after more than two decades in the game.
He thanked his family, friends, and everyone who supported him through it all. Looking back on his career, he said the last 25 years went by fast, and he’s not done yet.
So, we can only imagine how much his net worth can grow in the future considering this track record.
Lifestyle, Sponsorships & Side Ventures
Here’s a look at how the poker legend spends his time away from the felt and the various business interests that complement his playing career.
Business Ventures
The Finn has diversified his income beyond poker through several entrepreneurial ventures.
His most notable project is First Land of Poker (FLOP), a social poker app and community platform he launched in 2019 at the Patrik Antonius Poker Challenge.
The platform is still operating as of 2025, focusing on connecting poker players worldwide through tailored digital solutions and community features.
He has also invested heavily in real estate across multiple markets and expressed interest in establishing a high-stakes poker room in Monte Carlo to attract elite players for premium cash games.
Content Creation
His YouTube channel, also called “First Land of Poker,” serves as both a marketing tool for his app and a way to connect with poker fans around the world.
The channel features vlogs, behind-the-scenes tournament content, personal insights into his life as a professional poker player, plus exclusive Q&As and other content.
Antonius has built a loyal following that appreciates his acessible way to sharing his poker journey. The channel complements his FLOP app by offering exclusive content and poker strategy insights.
Personal Life
For famous stars like Pat, we would almost always think their personal lives are out in the open.
But on the contrary, he does a good job of keeping it private. All we know for sure is that he is happily married to Maya Geller and that they have two lovely daughters.
Though he did not explicitly say it, I’m guessing that their family is harmoniously living together because we never heard about cheating and break-up issues.
In fact, during his free time, he bonds with them by doing outdoor activities like skiing.
The Finn: Frequently Asked Questions
How did Patrik Antonius make his money?
He made his fortune primarily through high-stakes cash games and tournament poker.
While his documented tournament winnings exceed $30 million, the majority of his wealth comes from private cash games where he’s competed against the world’s best players for over two decades.
He has also diversified his income through business ventures like his FLOP poker platform and real estate investments.
Is Patrik Antonius still married?
Yes, he is still married to Maya Geller-Antonius, an American professional poker player whom he met in 2008.
They have been together for over 15 years and maintain a strong family unit.
When did Patrik Antonius start playing poker?
He started playing poker seriously during his recovery from a back injury as a teenager in the late 1990s.
He began with $50 home games with friends and moved to casino play when he turned 18. His professional career took off in the early 2000s when he started competing on the European tournament circuit.
Is Patrik Antonius a model?
Yes, Antonius worked as a model early in his career before poker became his primary focus.
After his tennis career ended due to injury, he tried various jobs including modeling, waiting tables, and door-to-door sales while building his poker bankroll.
However, he has been focused exclusively on poker and his business ventures for over two decades.
Patrik Antonius Poker Net Worth (Wrap Up)
Pat has been a steady presence in poker for over two decades. He started out playing $50 home games in Finland after a back injury ended his tennis career.
Since then, he’s put together over $30 million in tournament earnings, played in some of the biggest cash games ever broadcast, and made a name for himself as one of the most respected players in the game.
In 2024, he was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame which served as a nod to both his longevity and impact.
He’s never been one for the spotlight, but he’s always been around when the stakes are high. Currently, he’s still winning big, proving that experience and discipline still go a long way in today’s game.
Now, I’d like to hear from YOU:
- In your opinion, how much is Patrik Antonius worth in 2025?
- What do you find most intriguing about the way his poker career has unfolded?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
(Or keep scrolling to read other posts.)
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