World Poker Tour Enterprises has announced that top professional, Antonio Esfandiari, will become its official ‘face’.

He will be representing over 80 pokers who have made a million dollars or more in World Poker Tour events and taking the role of spokesperson for this lucrative annual tournament.

This is not the first time that Esfandiari is working with WPTE. He was also hired in the past by its founder, president and CEO, Steve Liscomb, to “perform magic” at the tour’s press release party.  

Being the face of the WPT Poker-Made Millionaire is a dream come true for Esfandiari, who is always quick to credit the organization for his success. He said: 

“I will never forget the day Steve Lipscomb hired me to perform magic at the press release party for the WPT. All I ever wanted was to play in a WPT event, let alone win one. To have actually won a few years later and to now become the official spokesperson for a company that did so much for poker and me personally is an honor I hold very dear to me. It’s great to be a part of the WPT, who has been such an instrumental part of my poker journey.” 

Esfandiari was born in Teheran and moved with his family to the United States when he was nine. As he trained as a professional magician, this young man was introduced to Texas Hold ‘em and quickly become interested. Taking on the professional name as “The Magician”, Esfandiari won $1.4-million playing at the Commerce Casino and his first World Series of Poker bracelet in 2004. He was also placed second in the third season of the Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament. To date, Esfandiari has won over $2,700,000 as a professional poker player, has cameoed in two movies and shares a television show with fellow-pro, Phil Laak. 

As part of his duties as WPTE spokesperson, Esfandiari will provide tips, tools and strategies to other players during the tournament via live updates, online blogs and web videos. He will travel across the world in his official capacity, representing the company at prestigious events such as the upcoming tournament at Casino Barcelona in May, 2008. 

Steve Lipscomb added: “Antonio embodies the excitement that has become the WPT journey. This is the only sport in the history of televised sports that allows you to watch it, dream it, and be it. Now, WPT fans and poker enthusiasts can take the journey with Antonio as he leads the way for the next WPT Poker-Made Millionaire.” 

Author:  Renee Kingsley