Two WPT titles, three WSOP bracelets, and the biggest live tournament cash in poker history - Antonio Esfandiari ‘The Magician’ seems to know all the tricks to live poker!

Born in Iran in 1978 as Amir Esfandiari, he moved to the United States with his family when he was about 10. He never misses an oportunity to express his gratitude and admiration for his father, to whom he dedicated his One Drop bracelet  

Antonio was a professional magician for a few years in his early 20’s, before he discovered poker. He demonstrates his skills in the Strip Magic web reality series he shot in 2014 as the Ultimate Poker brand ambassador. 

Esfandiari’s first cash on record came in 2002 and exactly 10 years later he was to score the biggest cash prize recorded ever ($18,346,673!), with his 1st place in the $1,000,000 buy-in Big One for One Drop. With this win and a total of 30 ITM finishes, Antonio Esfandiari still tops the all-time WSOP earnings ranking.

Often together with buddy Phil Laak, and the latter’s long-time girlfriend, Hollywood actress Jennifer Tilly, Antonio Esfandiari has appeared in numerous TV shows and movies, including Poker After Dark, Deal, Lucky You, Freelancers. The ‘Unabomber’ and ‘the Magician’ duo had their own show - I Bet You - in 2007 and their latest joint project is the pilot episode of the proposed reality TV series Underground Poker. 

In 2012 Esfandiari released the poker strategy game The Magician's Secrets for Winning Tournaments on InstaPoker. 

Written by Annie RKH
Last update: 16/03/2015