Off the Felt with Thrill&Stax

From the gritty streets of New York to the bright lights of the World Poker Tour, Will “The Thrill” Failla has built a reputation as one of poker's most colorful personalities, a fearless competitor, successful entrepreneur, and a man who has never been afraid to speak his mind.

Born and raised in New York, Will grew up surrounded by the hustle, attitude, and larger-than-life personalities that define the city. Those early experiences helped shape his street smarts, competitive instincts, quick wit, and unmistakable New York personality. Whether navigating the business world, negotiating a deal, or staring down an opponent across the poker table, Will has always relied on his instincts, experience, and ability to read people.

A successful entrepreneur and businessman, Will understands that winning in life requires more than luck. It takes determination, calculated risks, resilience, and knowing when to make your move. Those same qualities helped fuel his rise through the professional poker ranks.

As a professional tournament poker player and World Poker Tour champion, Will cemented his place in poker history by winning the prestigious 2011 WPT Legends of Poker Main Event. With more than 25 tournament titles and over $7 million in career live tournament earnings, Will has established himself as a formidable competitor on the professional poker circuit. His career spans decades of high-stakes competition, major tournament victories, and battles against some of the biggest names in poker. Known for his aggressive playing style, fearless approach, and larger-than-life personality, Will has earned the respect of fellow professionals while becoming one of the game's most recognizable characters.

But poker is only one part of Will's story.

A devoted family man at heart, Will balances his competitive nature with a deep appreciation for family, friendships, loyalty, and the people who matter most. His New York upbringing has also given him a unique perspective on everything from neighborhood politics and street culture to business, relationships, and the realities of everyday life.

And when it comes to food, Will has opinions, plenty of them. From legendary New York restaurants and neighborhood Italian joints to steakhouses, hidden gems, and unforgettable meals around the country, he knows good food and isn't shy about telling you when something doesn't measure up. Whether it's a perfectly cooked steak, an authentic Italian meal, or a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that nobody knows about, Will appreciates the finer things in life without forgetting where he came from.

As co-host of Off the Felt with Thrill and Stax, alongside fellow New Yorker, entrepreneur, and tournament poker player Anthony “Tony Stax” Piacquadio, Will brings decades of life experience, poker knowledge, street wisdom, and unfiltered commentary to the microphone.

Together, they take conversations far beyond poker, diving into food, travel, entertainment, business, current events, politics, family, and just about anything else worth talking about. Expect strong opinions, outrageous stories, plenty of laughs, and the kind of conversations that happen when two outspoken New Yorkers get together without a script.

Will “The Thrill” Failla doesn't just play the game. He lives life with the same intensity, passion, and larger-than-life personality that made him a recognizable name in poker. And now he's bringing it all Off the Felt.

From the world's nightclub scene to the tournament poker circuit and podcasting, Anthony “Tony Stax” Piacquadio has never been one to follow a conventional path.

Long before becoming a fixture at the poker tables, Anthony was internationally known as Antonio Piacquadio, an electronic music producer, DJ, nightclub owner, and entrepreneur. His career took him from New York City's legendary nightlife scene, including iconic venues such as Limelight and Tunnel, to the international stage, where he performed, developed nightlife ventures, and built relationships throughout the global entertainment industry.

Over the years, Anthony owned and operated several major nightclubs and was associated with some of the most recognized brands in electronic music and nightlife, including Space Ibiza and Sankeys. His career in entertainment spanned decades, combining his passion for music with an entrepreneurial instinct for creating businesses, building brands, and bringing people together.

When COVID brought the nightlife industry to a standstill in 2020, Anthony found himself with something he rarely had, free time. Having already sold or closed his nightclub ventures, he turned his attention to online poker. What began as a way to pass the time quickly developed into a serious passion for tournament competition.

The transition from nightlife to poker was a natural fit. Both worlds demanded an understanding of personalities, calculated risk-taking, discipline, and the ability to make decisions under pressure. Anthony immersed himself in tournament poker, eventually moving from online games to live events, competing in major tournaments and establishing himself as a passionate and competitive player on the circuit.

Today, Anthony continues to pursue his interests in business, entrepreneurship, travel, entertainment, and tournament poker, bringing the same energy and competitive spirit that defined his years in nightlife.

As co-host of Off the Felt with Thrill and Stax, alongside longtime poker personality Will “The Thrill” Failla, Tony brings a perspective shaped by decades of business ventures, international nightlife, and life at the poker tables.

Whether discussing poker, great restaurants, travel destinations, business opportunities, or the absurdities of everyday life, Tony delivers his opinions without a filter, usually with a good story and a healthy dose of humor.

For Tony Stax, poker may have become the latest chapter, but the stories go well beyond the felt.