Antonio Esfandiari

Antonio Esfandiari is an Iranian-American professional poker player recognized for his achievements in the global poker industry. Esfandiari began his career as a professional magician, a background that informed his approach to poker by enhancing his ability to read human behavior and apply psychological strategy at the table.

Esfandiari gained prominence after winning nearly $1.4 million at the Los Angeles Poker Classic of the World Poker Tour and securing a bracelet and nearly $185,000 by finishing first in the $2,000 Pot Limit Hold'em event of the World Series of Poker. These accomplishments led to appearances on televised poker programs, including Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament, GSN's "High Stakes Poker," and NBC's "Poker After Dark." He is a three-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner and a two-time World Poker Tour champion, including a win at the WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic for $870,124.

A defining moment in Esfandiari's career occurred at the inaugural World Series of Poker Big One for One Drop tournament, which featured a $1 million buy-in. Esfandiari won the event, earning $18,346,673, the second-largest payout in poker tournament history. This victory briefly placed him at the top of the all-time money list. With total live tournament earnings exceeding $27.8 million, Esfandiari ranks among the top 20 on the All-Time Money List.

Known for a loose-aggressive and intuitive play style, Esfandiari employs psychological tactics and table talk to gain an advantage over opponents. Beyond tournament play, he starred in the TV show "I Bet You," appeared as a featured player in the Activision World Series of Poker video game, and co-authored the book "World Poker Tour: In the Money," which offers strategies for Texas Hold'em cash games.

Esfandiari has also participated in televised poker events such as "High Stakes Poker," "The Big Game on Tour," and "No Gamble, No Future" at PokerGO Studio. He has competed in high-profile poker challenges, including a heads-up match alongside Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc against Carlos Sainz Jr. and Olympic athlete Michael Phelps during the Las Vegas Grand Prix festivities. Esfandiari is recognized for his expertise in poker strategy, psychological gameplay, and his contributions to televised poker entertainment.