Today, Antonio “The Magician” Esfandiari is an up and coming name on the poker pro circuit, and is known for his skill and success at Texas Hold ‘Em. At the age of 9, the family moved from his birthplace in Iran to San Jose, California, and there he was raised by his father and grandparents as his mother returned to Iran. In response to childhood teasing and bullying, Amir changed his name to Anthony, and later, for professional reasons, to Antonio. Antonio was an excellent student until a falling out with his father in his late teens, after which time he lived on his own and supported himself as he finished school.
When he was working as a waiter in a teen age year, Antonio Esfandiari saw a bartender perform a magic trick and developed a keen interest. He went to the local magic shop, bought supplies, and started teaching himself magic. He spent two years practicing magic twelve hours a day, and by twenty he was working as a professional magician. Over time he developed a private clientele through the restaurant he worked for, and was considered a skilled magician.
At the age of 20, Antonio Esfandiari had played a little poker, specifically $2/4 and $3/6 Hold ‘Em, but had not played in a tournament until he accompanied a roommate to a poker tournament at the Garden City Club in San Jose. He won that tournament, and spent some time thereafter researching and reading to improve his playing strategies and skills. By 22, the economy, and hence Esfandiari’s magic business, was declining, and poker was proving more and more financially beneficial for Antonio. At this point, Antonio Esfandiari quit magic and his day job waiting tables to play poker professionally.
Antonio Esfandiari is the youngest professional poker player to ever win a World Poker Tour Championship, which he won in 2004. He also took home $1.4 million dollars from the L.A. Poker Classic. He has also won a bracelet in the 2004 World Series of Poker No Limit Hold ‘Em $2000 Tournament. In 2005, he placed 6th at the World Poker Tour Invitational and went on to the World Series of Poker Tournament, placing 5th at the World Series of Poker 2005 $2500 shorthanded No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em event, winning $63,000.
Antonio Esfandiari is one of the most televised players on the professional poker circuit, famous for not only his prowess at the poker tables, but also for his ability to manipulate cards and chips for the camera. He won the 2004 World Poker Tour L.A. Poker Classic main event, receiving nearly $1.4 million. At the age of 25, he became the youngest person ever to win a televised WPT event, as well as the youngest poker player to win a million-dollar prize.
He also won a World Series of Poker bracelet in the 2004 $2,000 pot-limit hold'em event. He finished third in the 2005 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship, winning $125,000. In 2008 he made the final table of the European Poker Tour Grand Final in Monte Carlo. He continues to have success in tournament play having cashed in two events of the WSOP which is one being 24th of the Main Event and a WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic. He is also a skilled cash game player and one of the most televised players in poker. He has appeared on both Poker After Dark and High Stakes Poker shows.
This best poker player created a new book, “World Poker Tour: In the Money” provides the everyday poker player with insights and strategies for playing non tournament poker. Cash games, a non tournament version of Texas Hold ‘Em, is popular in many casinos, as a home game and more. With Esfandiari's book, released in March of 2006, any player can improve his or her game.
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