World Poker Tour

Antonio Esfandiari “The Magician“

Birthplace
Tehran, Iran

Hometown
San Jose, CA

Birthday
December 8

Total Winnings
$1,523,555

Amir, the name Antonio was given at birth, faced hardship from the first years of his life as a child in Tehran, Iran. The family moved to America and settled in San Jose, California. When he reached sixteen, he secured a job as a waiter. A bartender at the restaurant introduced Antonio to magic by showing him a card trick. Antonio was so fascinated by it that he immediately purchased books and videotapes about the art of magic. He taught himself a number of tricks and began to wow customers at the restaurant with his skills. He built up enough interest in his art to schedule private parties at which he entertained. It was at the age of nineteen that Antonio accompanied a friend to a local cardroom in San Jose. As his friend competed in a poker tournament, Antonio tried his hand at a non-tournament table and found that he did well and loved the challenge of No Limit Hold 'Em. He loved the bluffing aspect of the game, and he immediately saw an opportunity to master the game and the possibility to make money doing it.

Antonio studied poker and began playing in cash games and small tournaments, eventually accumulating enough of a bankroll to get to Vegas and enter the WSOP main event. In doing so, however, he lost everything he had worked hard to build. On the other hand, he met Phil Laak, a more experienced poker pro, and the two became fast friends. Phil counseled Antonio on the importance of money management, and with this knowledge, Antonio went back to San Jose with a serious determination to sharpen his skills and master the game. In 2002, Antonio entered his first World Poker Tour tournament, making it to the final table of the Gold Rush event in San Francisco and placing third. With his first taste of significant prize money and the brilliance of the lights and cameras, he came back during the WPT's second season and won the L.A. Poker Classic in 2004, and the following day, after getting no sleep, played the WPT Invitational and took sixth place.

Antonio's mark had been made in the poker world, and he knew it. He returned to Las Vegas in 2004 for the WSOP and won the Pot Limit Hold 'Em event, bracelet and prize money included. Antonio authored "World Poker Tour: In the Money" which was released in early 2006. Subsequently he was invited to play in Poker by the Book: Chapter 2 where he finished 4th. In addition to finding a career that satisfies Antonio's craving for challenge and wealth, he has also gained the respect of his father. He has the notoriety which comes from appearances on the WPT, and he is living well, enjoying his youth. Antonio continues to travel around the world putting his sharp poker skills to work.