Antonio Esfandiari – The Man Who Turned Street Magic Into Poker Millions

Author: Tadas Peckaitis

From sleight of hand to sleight of cards, Antonio Esfandiari has transformed himself from a street magician into one of poker's most captivating personalities.

Born in Tehran and raised in California, Esfandiari discovered his passion for performance at an early age, mastering the art of illusion before finding his true calling at the poker table. His transition from magic to poker proved seamless, as the psychology, misdirection, and showmanship that made him a successful magician translated perfectly to the felt.

With his trademark chip tricks, infectious personality, and uncanny ability to read opponents, "The Magician" quickly established himself as a formidable force in the poker world.

Full Name

Antonio Esfandiari (born Amir Esfandiary)

Net Worth

$20 million

Source of Wealth

Professional poker player

Famous for

Won the "Big One for One Drop" for $18,346,673

Born

December 8th, 1978, Iran

Antonio Esfandiari's net worth skyrocketed in 2012 when he made history by winning the inaugural "Big One for One Drop" tournament, collecting an astronomical $18.3 million prize, then the largest single payout in tournament poker history. This victory cemented his status as a poker legend.

With three WSOP bracelets, two WPT championships, and more than $27 million in live tournament earnings, Esfandiari's poker resume speaks for itself. His legendary prop bets and table antics have made him not just a champion, but one of poker's most beloved entertainers.

Antonio Esfandiari Highlights

Highlights

• Started as a professional magician before transitioning to poker, earning his nickname "The Magician"
• Won the 2012 Big One for One Drop for $18.3 million, then the largest tournament prize in history
• Captured first WPT title at 2004 L.A. Poker Classic ($1.4 million)
• Earned three WSOP bracelets throughout his career
• Accumulated nearly $28 million in tournament earnings
• Disqualified from the 2016 PCA $100K Super High Roller after urinating in a bottle following a prop bet
• Has won 2 World Poker Tour titles (2004 L.A. Poker Classic and the 2010 Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic)

Childhood and Upbringing

The story of Antonio Esfandiari begins in Tehran, Iran, during a period of profound turmoil.

Born shortly after the Shah was overthrown and the ayatollahs took power, Antonio's earliest memories were shaped by the Iran-Iraq war. As a six-year-old child, he and his younger brother would frantically search for hiding places during bombardment. When a nearby building was destroyed, his father made the life-altering decision to seek safety elsewhere, though securing the necessary documents would take several more years.

In 1988, at nine years old, the boy then known as Amir arrived in San Jose, California, joining relatives already settled there.

Entrepreneurial from an astonishingly young age, he became a paperboy immediately upon arriving in America. By eleven, he was working as a telemarketer for the San Francisco Chronicle, becoming the top salesperson in his area before management discovered his age and had to place him under his mother's name to keep him employed.

After graduating from Del Mar High School in 1997, his path took an unexpected detour when he had a brief encounter with law enforcement after being caught selling marijuana.

The Birth of "The Magician"

The transformation from Amir to Antonio began at nineteen when, working as a waiter, he witnessed a bartender performing a simple trick.

Fascinated, he visited a magic shop to learn the secret and began incorporating tricks into his serving job for extra tips. His natural charisma and dexterity paid off – soon his tip income surpassed his regular wages, allowing him to pursue magic full-time. It was during this period that he legally changed his name to Antonio, believing "Antonio the Magician" sounded more mystical than "Amir the Magician".

He even underwent cosmetic surgery to "look less foreign," signaling his determination to reinvent himself completely.

Discovering Poker

His passion for magic led him to practice relentlessly, aspiring to become "the next David Copperfield" – until a new obsession entered his life: poker.

His magical background provided the perfect foundation, as the reading skills he developed as a magician translated seamlessly to reading opponents at the table. It was during this time that he formed a friendship with Phil "Unabomber" Laak through their shared fascination with tricks, before either became famous in the poker world.

His family thought poker was mere luck, but Antonio knew better – his ability to read people would prove to be his greatest asset on the path to poker superstardom.

By 2004, Antonio Esfandiari was hungry – desperately hungry – to make his mark in the poker world.

Despite finishing as high as third in World Poker Tour events, the coveted championship title had eluded him. Determined to change his fortune, Esfandiari entered the L.A. Poker Classic with unwavering confidence, despite having lost half his bankroll – approximately $30,000 – the night before. His intuition, reading ability, and strategic mindset culminated in a decisive victory that would forever change his career trajectory.

The moment was too significant to share over the phone. Instead, Antonio drove all night from Los Angeles to San Jose, arriving at his father's doorstep at dawn with a backpack containing $1.4 million in cash. When his father, Bejan, groggily answered the door, Antonio revealed his life-changing news in his characteristically playful way.

This tournament victory represented more than just money – it was validation of Antonio's unconventional career choice and the beginning of his ascent to poker superstardom.

Big One for One Drop 2012

In 2012, poker history was forever changed when Antonio Esfandiari conquered the inaugural Big One for One Drop tournament.

The unprecedented $1 million buy-in event attracted 48 of poker's elite players and wealthy businessmen, creating a prize pool unlike anything the poker world had ever seen. With his characteristic confidence, Esfandiari entered the final table at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino as chip leader, carrying an unwavering belief in his victory.

The showdown pitted Esfandiari against British pro Sam Trickett in what would become a brief but legendary heads-up battle.

After just 16 hands, the decisive moment came on a J-5-5 flop when both players committed their chips – Esfandiari holding trip fives against Trickett's flush draw. The remaining community cards bricked for Trickett, and in that instant, Antonio Esfandiari poker history was made, as he became the game's greatest single-tournament earner.

The victory earned him an astronomical $18,346,673 (more than $8 million ahead of Trickett's second-place finish) and a platinum bracelet to commemorate his extraordinary achievement. Beyond the staggering payday, this win catapulted Esfandiari to the top of poker's all-time tournament earnings list and cemented his legacy as one of the game's greatest champions.

Antonio Esfandiari's Poker Career Results

After capturing his first World Poker Tour title at the L.A. Poker Classic in 2004, Esfandiari steadily built his reputation as both a formidable competitor and entertaining personality.

His television presence proved just as valuable as his card-playing abilities, with regular appearances on poker's most popular shows, including High Stakes Poker, Poker After Dark, and the Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament. After finishing last in season two of Poker Superstars, he showcased his resilience by bouncing back to claim second place the following season, demonstrating the mental toughness that would define his career.

His tournament success continued with a second WPT title at the Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic in 2010, earning over $870,000.

Antonio consistently performed well in the most prestigious events, including a 24th-place finish in the 2008 WSOP Main Event for $352,832 and an eighth-place showing at the 2008 EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo. Antonio Esfandiari had additional major cashes, including a third WSOP bracelet at the 2012 WSOPE €1,100 No Limit Hold'em event and a fourth-place finish in the 2013 One Drop High Roller for $1,433,438.

TV Appearances

While many recognize him first as Antonio Esfandiari poker player, he has leveraged his magnetic personality and entertainment value into a diverse television career.

His charisma and friendship with Phil Laak led to their co-starring roles in "I Bet You" on MOJO HD, a show that showcased their infamous prop betting and adventurous spirits. The duo's natural chemistry and playful rivalry translated perfectly to television, providing viewers with an entertaining glimpse into the off-felt lives of professional poker players. Their partnership continued in 2014 with "Underground Poker" on the Discovery Channel, part of a mini-series called "All In, All Night" that explored high-stakes private games.

As poker's popularity surged, Esfandiari became the face of World Poker Tour's "Poker-Made Millionaire" program, further cementing his status as one of the game's most recognizable ambassadors.

His entertainment portfolio expanded beyond poker-focused programming with a guest appearance in the season 7 opener of HBO's hit series "Entourage" and a role as an undercover officer in the 2012 film "Freelancers", starring alongside Hollywood heavyweights Robert De Niro and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson.

In 2014, Esfandiari returned to his magical roots with "Strip Magic", a web reality series for Ultimate Poker that featured him performing street magic on the Las Vegas Strip, interspersed with exclusive interviews about his life and career.

"If you're gonna go out, you might as well go out in style."

Antonio Esfandiari

Antonio Esfandiari Net Worth

Antonio Esfandiari net worth is estimated to be around $20 million, built largely on his extraordinary tournament success, with total live earnings exceeding $27.8 million, placing him 32nd on poker's all-time money list.

His financial breakthrough came in July 2012 at the inaugural Big One for One Drop tournament. This life-changing score single-handedly transformed Esfandiari's financial status and secured his place among poker's elite.

His poker portfolio includes three World Series of Poker bracelets and two World Poker Tour titles, with additional income streams from television commentary for ESPN and various entertainment ventures. His financial success has allowed him to invest substantially in real estate, including a $3.4 million Venice, California home purchased with his wife in 2017, followed by a more substantial $5.4 million, 6,000-square-foot mansion in the same area in November 2020. Beyond tournament winnings, Esfandiari has likely earned millions more from cash games, sponsorship deals, and media appearances – though these figures remain private.

Where Is Antonio Esfandiari Today?

For fans wondering if Antonio Esfandiari retired, the answer is not quite. After years of dominating the poker spotlight, he has transitioned into a more private phase of life.

His last recorded tournament cash came with an 82nd-place finish in the 2019 WSOP Main Event – his only result that year. For perspective, Esfandiari's last period of significant tournament volume was back in 2016, when he cashed in six events at the World Series of Poker, suggesting a deliberate shift in priorities away from the grinding tournament circuit.

After a lengthy hiatus, Esfandiari has begun making selective appearances in the poker media landscape. He recently returned to poker television, participating in Season 2 of The Big Game on Tour at the NAPT in Las Vegas and filming episodes of No Gamble, No Future at the PokerGO Studio. In a particularly high-profile appearance, he partnered with Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc for a heads-up challenge against Carlos Sainz Jr. and Olympic legend Michael Phelps during the Las Vegas Grand Prix festivities.

While no longer a ubiquitous presence at tournament tables or in the commentary booth alongside Lon McEachern and Norman Chad, The Magician hasn't completely disappeared – he's simply become more selective about when and where he chooses to showcase his talents.

For fans of the charismatic poker superstar, these occasional appearances offer welcome glimpses of the player who once captivated audiences with his extraordinary skills and magnetic personality.