Antonio Esfandiari

  • Name: Antonio Esfandiari

  • Nickname: The Magician

  • Current Residence: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

  • DOB: December 8th, 1978

  • Birth Place: Teheran, Iran

  • WSOP Bracelets: 1

  • Total Winnings: $3,563,598 (March 2010)

  • Age Started Playing Poker: 20

Who is Antonio Esfandiari?

Antonio Esfandiari was born Amir Esfandiari but then decided to change his name to Anthony and ultimately Antonio. During his late teens he left home due to rows with his father and has lived alone since then. He went to university for a year and worked as a waiter. It was in a restaurant where he first saw a man doing magic tricks; he immediately felt interested and went and bought himself a magic kit. He practiced a lot and after two years he was already a professional magician and performed at parties and events.

It was not until he attended his first poker tournament and won that he decided to turn his back on magic and play poker for a living. He says that at the same time his magic business was declining, and he realised that he could make much more money in poker.

Antonio is a rising star in poker and for now he likes to spend his money on his lifestyle, he is often seen partying and always sitting at the best clubs at the best tables. However, he hopes to one day have a wife and family and to run his own restaurant.

Where does the nickname ‘The Magician' come from?

Antonio is called The Magician because before turning into poker he was a professional magician. Also, because many say he does magic on the felt.

Public Perception and Reputation: Magic Tricks...

Antonio is a perfect bachelor. He spends his money on parties and friends, but still he helps his family. He is reaching fame and he is for sure enjoying it, he always gets the best tables at clubs and restaurants.

He is considered a great poker player and he owes part of this reputation to his face-to-face encounters with Phil Hellmuth because Antonio has managed to control the table and Phil. Some say he might do magic tricks at the tables, and they have definitely worked so far.

Antonio has a tv-show called I Bet You, where he and his friend Phil "Unabomber" Laak make all kinds of crazy bets with each other.

Antonio is also the official ambassador for the World Poker Tour.

Antonio became part of the Victory Poker Pro Team in the beginning of 2010.

Media Exposure