Antonio Esfandiari
 Esfandiari at 2007 National Heads-Up Poker Championship. |
|
| Nickname(s) | The Magician |
|---|---|
| Hometown | Tehran, Iran |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Bracelet(s) | 1 |
| Money finishes | 9 |
| Highest ITM Main Event finish |
24th, 2009 |
| World Poker Tour | |
| Titles | 1 |
| Final tables | 2(+4) |
| Money finishes | 5 |
| European Poker Tour | |
| Titles | None |
| Final tables | 1 |
| Money finishes | 1 |
Antonio Esfandiari (born Amir Esfandiari, December 8, 1978 in Tehran, Iran) is a professional poker player.
When he was 9 years old his family moved to San Jose, California.
At the age of 19, he changed his name to Antonio, which was adopted from living in a Mexican American community in San Jose, and became a professional magician. While he was performing magic, he was invited to a game of Texas Hold 'em and started to play poker. In 2004, he won close to $1.4 million at the Commerce Casino. He won his first World Series of Poker bracelet a few months later in Pot-Limit Texas Hold 'em.
Esfandiari appeared in the second and third seasons of the Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament. After finishing last the previous year, Antonio was able to redeem himself with an impressive 2nd place finish the third season. He was also in each season of GSN series High Stakes Poker and each season of NBC's Poker After Dark.
On April 17, 2008, Esfandiari made the final table at the 2008 PokerStars.com EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo finishing in 8th place, winning €168,000 ($266,004). On July 14, 2009, Esfandiari made his deepest finish to date in the World Series of Poker Main Event, finishing 24th on Day 7 of the tournament, earning himself a further $352,832.
While touring the poker circuit, he often shares a room with Phil Laak. He is also known for his chip trick techniques.
As of 2009, his total live tournament winnings exceed $3,400,000.
Esfandiari co-starred in the TV show I Bet You, on MOJO HD, with Phil Laak. He is also the face of World Poker Tour's Poker-Made Millionaire. He was also seen in the season 7 opener of Entourage
World Series of Poker Bracelet
| Year | Tournament | Prize (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | $2,000 Pot Limit Hold'em | $184,860 |