Tony Kendall (poker player)

Biography

Anthony lost his mother at the age of four months, as she died from cancer. He was raised by the help of his aunts and uncles, as his father had 11 siblings. Tony had psychological and learning difficulties when growing up – as he could not read or write at the age of 15, but nowadays reads a book every week.

Kendall worked as an apprentice building merchant, but was given a break by John Kirkland, who allowed him to set up a company. The company went on to make a turnover of £53,000,000 per annum, allowing Kendall to retire early and concentrate on poker.

Early life

Tony Kendall was always destined for stardom from an early age. After a brief stint in the 40s London Music Hall scene where he made quite a name for himself as a Ventriloquists dummy before progressing to a young drag act in Rex Jameson's turn, that is said to have influenced the great Danny La Rue to take up the wig and dress. LA Rue is quoted as saying in later life that Kendall was "an inspiration for all I have done". In the late 50s Kendall always one for spotting trends moved away from Music Hall and his departure is seen as the beginning of the end for the dated medium.

Kendall then turned his attention to British Railways and a role at the British Transport Commission. He is thought to have met Dr. Richard Beeching at a polo match in the late 50s although the exact details are lost in annuals of the London social scene. Kendall a non-believer in the Railway network aided Beeching in the systematic dismantling of the wider Network. Kendall said on his "This is your life" appearance that his proudest moments are connected with the dismantling of the Great British Railway Network.

Kendall quickly fell out with Beeching as Beeching took all the plaudits for the dismantling of the British Railway Network and Kendalls name was removed from this part of history. He retreated to his property at 165 Oxford Street, where he met struggling accountant Harold Pendleton. As the 50s drew to a close the property on Oxford Street became a "House of free music and love" and a marquee was erected in the rear of the property. The Marquee housed a small stage and basic speaker set up, decorated in the now iconic Red and White stripes of Kendalls football team Leighton Town. Kendall would invite friends to come and blow horns on a regular basis. The last of great Blues and Jazz artists were often heard trotting out the standards on any horn they could get their hands on.

In 1964 Kendall sold the name "The Marquee Club" to a property in Soho. Many bands and acts played the Marquee over the coming years trying to recapture the glory days of 165 Oxford Street, but the new venue never quite reached the same level of prominence as the original Oxford Street venue.

Late 64 and Kendall moved to Bolivia for a couple of summers. Un-confirmed reports that he became a CIA informant, integral to the capture and execution of Che Guevara have never been proven. Kendall never talks of the "lost years", but he has been heard to mutter "death to the Hippies" when on his Buckfast retreats on the Isle of Skye in his later years. Kendall to this day also loves a Cuban heel.

Also in the sixties, he tried his hand at acting with a cameo role in the film "2001, a Space Odyssey", where he played one of the apes surrounding the black obelisk at the start of the film. Appalled by the violence in the later "enlightened ape" scene, he stormed off the set, ending his acting career.

The 70s saw Kendall return to the public eye with his now infamous 3 way relationship with Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren. Kendall said to be the inspiration of McLaren's now developing ruthless personality. Westwood is also adamant to this day that Kendall was the true inspiration behind "Sex" and "Too fast to live Too young to die". In this period Kendall touched many of the greats who went onto shape the world, and his influence can be seen in all walks of life – From the Sex Pistols to Paul Raymond's revue bars whom he was quality control manager for many years. He met and helped Alexander Shulgin's work in drug development and many more "doff the cap" to the influence Kendall had on their lives around this time.

Kendall's biggest contribution to British life came when he met a young Richard Branson in 1972 after Branson had opened his first megastore. Kendall joined "team Branson" as advisor. He is thought to have steered Branson in new directions and been a "rock" for Branson.

Kendall is thought to have been behind the development of both the Virgin name and brand, and is the mastermind behind Virgin Nigeria and Virgin Cola. Never one to be afraid of putting the boot in, Kendall then steered Branson towards Virgin Trains and again Kendall helped destroy the now rebuilt train network.

By the mid 80s Kendall was advising (in his spare time) Rupert Murdoch on how to grow his fledgling TV business. After Branson and Kendall went their separate ways, Kendall devoted all his time into the business plan for Murdoch's TV Empire. Seen by Murdoch's inner circle as "Pie in the Sky" Kendall went on to Mastermind global domination of the TV world. Sky and Fox TV in the US went on to change the broadcasting landscape for ever. "Insightful TV for Insightful people" was the tag line in the US. Kendall slowly manufactured a place for himself in front of the cameras on Sky's flagship show, where he can still be seen today – displaying his cutting edge fashion and insight into all manner of topics from Ducks to concrete.

2003

He shared his beginning on the poker circuit with Julian Thew and Ian Oldershaw.

In 2003 Kendall finished in the money of three tournaments, scooping over $5,000. His highest finish was at the £100 pot limit Omaha event at the Napoleons Owlerton Casino, Sheffield on 12 June 2003. He finished 5th out of 69 entries and 94 rebuys.

2004

2004 was a busy year for Kendall, seeing him cash in ten tournaments. His highest finish and prize money was 2nd and $14,386, at the £150 pot limit hold'em Grosvenor Grand Challenge 2004 at the Grosvenor Casino, Luton on 23 January. The tournament saw 129 entrants and 315 rebuys. He earned $51,014 in prize money throughout the year.

Retired from business in April, just decided to enjoy my final years playing poker & chilling. Split with 10-year partner Wendy in October.

Began writing articles on The Hendon Mob and for Poker Europa.

2005

2005 was an even busier year for Kendall, as he cashed in fifteen tournaments. Kendall cashed in events of both the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and the European Poker Tour (EPT). Although entering both of these prestigious tournaments his highest earning tournament of that year (and his career to date), was at the SportingOdds.com London Poker Masters at the Gutshot Card Club, London on 1–2 October. Although he finished runner-up, he collected $27,895 in prize money. This was his highest earning yet to date, accumulating over $63,000.

Was invited to Screen Test as a Presenter for Poker 425, & got the job, the show airing nightly for the rest of the year.

Became a contributor to Cardplayer Europe, continued to write for Poker Europa, started up www.blondepoker.com with Dave and Rhowena Colclough in January, went on to start the now famous blonde Live Updates. Accepted an offer from Sporting Odds to become their Site Pro.

2006

2007

As of 2009, his total live tournament cashes exceed $250,000.

2014

At the post-trial press conference, Tony said, "The House always wins. We should have known better than to expect to come here and prevail against the Corporate conglomerate of the Casinos."

Phil Ivey revealed that Tony Kendall would be his representation in a similar lawsuit in the US Courts. In appreciation for Kendall's efforts – Ivey purportedly gifted Tony a $$65,000 model train set, one of the largest collections in the world and a lifelong passion of Kendall's.