13 Feb 2026 Beginner This material is for beginner players Tom Goldstein, an established attorney and poker player, challenged his court case on Wednesday, 11th February. He's being charged with tax fraud and tax evasion. Goldstein is also charged with lying to mortgage lenders. In Greenbelt, he told the federal jurors that he always told the truth about how much money he made from gambling and that he did so in good faith. Goldstein is on trial for his involvement in high-stakes poker games around the world and for his finances. The trial began earlier this year. What Goldstein confessed in court gave us a rare glimpse into his life as a top lawyer and a professional poker player. A Passion for Poker Goldstein said that no-limit Texas Hold'em is a "weirdly intellectual" game where players have to solve puzzles and take big risks. He noted that high-stakes poker is the only way to really test your skill and nerve. “Playing poker is a little bit about problem-solving,” Goldstein told jurors. “It’s a game where you can essentially risk everything.” His poker career began in 2016 and included playing against some of the best players in the world. He was honest about it. He won $88 million in heads-up poker games, but he also said he lost about $10 million overall. Some sources indicate that he lost about $15 million, mostly in ring games. He also admitted that he mistakenly exaggerated in 2016 about winning $2.7 million more than he actually did. Goldstein said he never falsified his tax returns and consistently reported the correct amount of gambling winnings, even when they were large. Federal courthouse in Greenbelt, Maryland (Image courtesy of Google.com) Connections with Poker High Rollers Goldstein claimed to have ties to well-known poker players while in court. He defended Paul Phua in 2014, and Phua eventually was acquitted and found not guilty. Goldstein said he knew Phua and other clients who staked him in high-stakes games. In this group were Andrew Robl and Keith Gipson. When they backed Goldstein in heads-up games, they made a lot of money. The prosecutors indicated that Phua put Goldstein in touch with two people, whose names were only "Tango" and "Chairman". Risk and Controversy Goldstein understood the negative consequences of testifying in his own trial and answering oath questions about his gambling and income. There have already been some tense times in the trial, like when Walter Deyhle, his former accountant, testified. When the defence asked Deyhle about Goldstein's tax returns, he said he had made mistakes. Goldstein told the judge that he had lied on mortgage applications about owing $15 million in gambling debts so that his wife wouldn't find out how much money he had lost. He told the judge, "I didn't want my wife to know how much I owed in gambling." Specific reports additionally indicate that Goldstein received poker coaching. Pro poker player Andrew Robl told the judge that he helped Goldstein get ready for big games against millionaire Alec Gores and other top players. What’s Next in the Trial On Thursday, Goldstein will be cross-examined, which means the prosecution will have a chance to ask him many questions about the tax violations and gambling activities. He is charged with failing to pay his taxes, tax fraud, lying on his tax forms, and providing mortgage lenders with false information. He has denied all the claims against him. The hearing will go on until the middle of February. The jury is very interested in Goldstein's life as a high-stakes poker player and his legal defences.
