In a blog posted on TonyGPoker.com, Tony “Tony G” Guoga revealed that he may become a new backer of Swedish high-stakes online poker pro Isildur1. The mystery man from Scandinavia has been largely absent from the nosebleed games. However, given Tony G’s new windfall of cash to the cause, the high-stakes scene at Full Tilt Poker may once again breathe new life.

In a poll posted on PokerNewsDaily.com, readers were asked what the top story of 2009 was given a choice of five headlines. Out of the poll’s 700 respondents, 400 answered Isildur1 igniting the high-stakes ring games at Full Tilt Poker, exemplifying the importance of the Swede’s involvement in the industry. In his blog, Tony G explained, “It is likely I will stake him in some big cash games in the future, this is what I do after all. I like to give people a chance in life to do well. That is why I got involved with ChipMeUp and I love to stake lots of people there.”
Tong G, who was in New Zealand at the time of writing with Lee Nelson, explained that he had spoken to Isildur1 over the phone on multiple occasions: “He is like me 15 years ago. I just wish I had as much talent as he does. He can play the world’s best on eight tables and he only learned PLO about eight months ago.” Much of the nosebleed action on Full Tilt Poker was in Pot Limit Omaha, as the Swede has apparently come a long way since the beginning of 2009 in that department.

According to PokerTableRatings.com, Isildur1 has dropped more than $2.6 million on the virtual felts after being up over $5 million in mid-November. He’s taken $5.5 million off of Tom durrrr Dwan, but bled more than $10 million combined to Brian Stinger885Hastings (pictured at left), 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event November Nine member Phil Ivey, Durrrr Challenge participant Patrik Antonius, and CardRunners instructor Brian Townsend. The latter had his Full Tilt Red Pro status recently suspended for one month due to the data mining incident against Isildur1, which may have contributed to the Swede’s $4.2 million beating at the hands of Hastings.

So who is Isildur1? Even as the online poker world enters 2010, no identity has been confirmed. Tony G gave his take on the burning question: “I know who he is, no doubt. I also have to say that earlier I was guessing and I will never reveal who he is from here on out. I think it’s more exciting for everyone, leaving the mystery as a mystery.” Frank Frank1The1TankCalo charged that Isildur1 was really Robert “Gulkines” Flink, while others have guessed that Todd Brunson is the man behind the curtain. Tony G had previously explained that Viktor “blom30” Blom was Isildur1’s offline name.

Tony G reiterated the impact that Isildur1 has had on the online poker cash game world: “It’s clear he is a favorite of the railbirds and guys, please do support him as he is the biggest thing that has happened in poker for a long, long time.” Others who have had success against the Swedish newcomer include Cole cts South, Phil OMGClayAikenGalfond (pictured at right), and even Tony G himself, who has single-handedly taken nearly $100,000 off Isildur1.

Of the eight largest pots that the online poker world has ever seen, Isildur1 has been involved in each, winning half of them. Antonius scooped the largest pot in internet poker history, a $1.3 million haul on November 21st. Isildur1 captured a $1.1 million pot two days later to recoup some of his losses. All eight panned out at $500/$1,000 Pot Limit Omaha tables on Full Tilt poker and together amount to nearly $7.5 million.

We’ll have the latest high-stakes cash game news for you right here on PocketFives.com.