Anthony Holden

Anthony Ivan Holden was born on 22 May 1947 in Southport, Lancashire, England, to John Holden and Margaret Lois. He was educated at Trearddur House School, Oundle School, and Merton College, Oxford, where he read English language and literature, edited the student magazine Isis, and appeared on University Challenge.

Holden began his journalism career as a graduate trainee at the Hemel Hempstead Evening Post-Echo, where he covered the trial of poisoner Graham Young. He was named Young Journalist of the Year in 1972 and later worked for The Sunday Times (1973–79), winning News Reporter of the Year in 1976 for his work in Northern Ireland and Columnist of the Year in 1977. He served as Washington Correspondent and US editor of The Observer (1979–81), Assistant Editor of The Times (1981–82), Executive Editor of Today (1985–86), and chief classical music critic of The Observer (2002–08).

Holden wrote biographies of Shakespeare, Tchaikovsky, Leigh Hunt, Lorenzo Da Ponte, Laurence Olivier, and members of the British royal family, notably Charles, Prince of Wales. His book The St. Albans Poisoner (1974) was adapted into the film The Young Poisoner's Handbook (1995). He also published translations of opera and Ancient Greek poetry.

Holden was a keen poker player and spent a year playing professionally while researching his 1990 book Big Deal: A Year as a Professional Poker Player, which chronicles his attempts to become a poker pro and his participation in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in 1988–89. The book sold close to a million copies and was praised by figures like David Mamet, Salman Rushdie, and Walter Matthau. In 2007, he released a follow-up, Bigger Deal: A Year Inside the Poker Boom.

In 2000, he appeared in a celebrity version of Late Night Poker in the UK, defeating fellow poker author Al Alvarez, comedian Ricky Gervais, novelist Martin Amis, and Victoria Coren. He also served as editor of He Played for His Life and Other Stories (2017).

Holden's total live tournament earnings are $10,239, with a best cash of $10,239. He is ranked 170,170th on the All Time Money List.

In 2009, Holden was elected the first President of the International Federation of Match Poker (IFMP), an organization promoting the sport of match poker.

Anthony Holden died on 7 October 2023 in London at the age of 76. He is remembered as a versatile writer and a passionate advocate for poker, whose book Big Deal inspired a generation of poker journalists and players. James McManus, author of Positively Fifth Street, said: "With Big Deal and Bigger Deal, Tony inspired me and dozens of other poker journalists. One of the kindest, smartest humans I’ve met."