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.

Daniel Alaei is perhaps best well known for his many appearances on popular television shows which feature cash game action, including the first three seasons of “High Stakes Poker”. Daniel Alaei outlasted 328 other poker players to take down the World Poker Tour (WPT) Doyle Brunson Classic Championship earlier this evening, taking home $1,428,430, an entry into the $25k WPT Championship and a Rolex watch in the process.