Antonio Esfandiari, born Amir Esfandiari in Tehran, Iran, in 1978, is a renowned Iranian-American professional magician and poker player. His life story is a fascinating journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a legend in the world of poker.
Early Life and Immigration
Antonio’s family moved from Tehran to San Jose, California, when he was just nine years old, shortly before the end of the Iran-Iraq war. His mother left the family soon after their arrival, leaving his father, Bijan Esfandiari, to raise Antonio and his brother, Pasha. Antonio has always spoken fondly of his father, considering him his hero and a significant source of inspiration and luck in his life.
Challenges and Early Ambitions
As an immigrant, Antonio faced challenges fitting in and tried hard to be accepted by his peers. He graduated from Del Mar High School in 1997 but later found himself in jail briefly after being caught selling marijuana. This experience led to his decision to avoid illegal activities.
Magic as a Lifelong Passion
Antonio’s love for cards and magic tricks began at an early age. He was captivated by the world of magic after witnessing a magic trick and decided to master the art. He dedicated himself to learning and practicing magic tricks, which soon became his primary source of income. At the age of 19, he changed his name from Amir to Antonio, embracing a more mystical persona for his magic performances. Antonio became known as “Antonio, The Magician,” and his magical skills gained recognition.
Introduction to Poker
While working as a waiter, Antonio was introduced to poker when his roommate gave him a book by Lee Jones titled “Winning Low Limit Hold’em.” This moment marked the beginning of his journey into professional poker. He quickly realized that poker was a passion he had in his blood, although he hadn’t recognized it until then.
Rise in Poker
In 2004, Antonio made his mark in the poker world by playing in the televised World Poker Tour L.A. Poker Classics and winning close to $1.4 million. This event propelled him into the limelight and established him as a poker celebrity. A few months later, he won his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet by finishing first in the $2,000 Pot Limit Texas Hold’em event, earning $184,860.
Challenges and Comeback
After experiencing ups and downs, Antonio made a comeback in 2010, winning a World Poker Tour (WPT) title. In 2012, he achieved a historic victory by winning the $1 Million buy-in Big One For One Drop event, earning $18,346,673, which was the largest win in poker history at the time.
Family and Fatherhood
Antonio is a happily married professional poker player and a father to a son born in 2015. He married Amal Bounahra, the daughter of professional poker player Badih “Bob” Bounahra. Antonio’s role model is his father, Bijan, and he aims to be the same for his son.
Versatile Career
Antonio’s career is not limited to poker. He has ventured into various occupations, including commentator, entertainer, host, and prop bettor. He co-starred with Phil Laak in the reality TV show “I Bet You,” appeared in movies like “Freelancers,” and released a mobile poker application titled “The Magician’s Secrets for Winning Tournaments on Insta Poker.” He has also been the face of various poker-related ventures, such as UltimatePoker.com.
Retirement Speculations
While Antonio Esfandiari is not retired from poker, he is less active in the poker spotlight in recent years, focusing on his role as a full-time professional father.
Antonio Esfandiari’s life journey is a testament to his resilience, adaptability, and passion for both magic and poker. His ability to conquer challenges and stage a remarkable comeback in the poker world has solidified his status as a legend in the game.