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Residence:
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Las Vegas, Nevada
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Birthdate: |
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December 8, 1978
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Career Highlights: |
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1st place in the 2004 WPT LA Poker Classic ($1,399,135)
1st place in the 2004 WSOP Pot Limit Hold 'em ($184,860)
3rd place in the 2005 National Heads-Up Poker Championship ($125,000)
3rd place in the 2005 WSOP Circuit Harrah's New Orleans ($221,445)
8th place in the 2008 EPT Grand Final Monte Carlo ($265,835)
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Affiliated Poker Room(s): |
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NA
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Personal Website: |
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MagicAntonio.com
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Products: |
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NA
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Antonio Esfandiari
Antonio Esfandiari was born in Iran, under the name Amir, on December 8th, 1978. His father, a successful businessman in his home country, decided to move the family to America when the young Antonio was 9 years old. Yet more upheaval would follow when Antonio’s mother divorced her husband and returned to Iran. This early turmoil could have been a recipe for disaster, but the man who has emerged is a multi-talented, confident and one of the finest poker players in the world today.
He demonstrated strong academic ability at a young age, and claims he was a straight-A student up until his late teens. However, the day before his 17th birthday he fell out with his father and ran away from home. By aged 18 he was working as a waiter and had secured his own apartment. By his own admission, his predilection for the party scene impacted upon his schooling and his grades began to slide. During this period he changed his name to Anthony, a later to a more magical Antonio.
While working as a waiter he noticed a co-worker performing magic tricks for the customers and was instantly intrigued. He rushed straight down to a local magic store to pick up some equipment. He honed his skills for 12 hours a day and before long was getting regular work as a professional magician. At aged 21 he quit college to dedicate himself full time to magic.
At this point he was living with a friend called Scott Stewart, who suggested that he come along to a regular poker tournament he attended. Antonio joined Scott at a Hold ‘em tournament at the Garden City Club in San Hose and went on to win the event. The fledgling Antonio had found his new obsession and hasn’t looked back since.
In 2004 he made his first break onto the high-stakes scene, becoming the youngest player ever to win a million dollar prize. At the 2004 WPT L.A. Poker Classic he finished top of the pile, receiving almost $1.4 million. He went on to make headlines later that same year by picking up his first WSOP bracelet. After that whirlwind introduction to the poker world he has gone on to earn more than $3.1 million from live events.
Following his bracelet victory he made a permanent move to Las Vegas, where he has cultivated a reputation as one of poker’s most likeable characters. He is known for his partying prowess and reportedly has an unparalleled knowledge of the Vegas club scene. His winnings have not all be frittered away on good times, however. He has plans to open up his own restaurant, and spent a large chunk of his prize money on buying his father a new home.
He is good friends with another famous character, Phil Laak. The pair met at the 2004 WSOP and spent some time as roommates while they crushed the cash games at the Commerce Casino in L.A. The pair have presented the ‘I Bet You’ TV show together, where they would challenge each other to increasingly outlandish prop bets for increasingly large sums of money. Fairly tame examples include seeing who can make the most money in tips while bartending, and guessing what kind of underwear girls on the street are wearing.
Antonio’s philosophy on life is characteristically positive:
"Life is sweet and I can’t stress how important it is to live every day to its fullest. Enjoy everything you do, every place you go and everyone you meet because that’s the secret -that’s what happiness is all about."
Common Misspellings: Anthony Esfandiari, Antonio, Esphandiari, Antonio Esfondiari
Learn more about Antonio Esfandiari at MagicAntonio.
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