New Magic for World Poker Tour

If someone is, or ever has been, a magician, the jokes will inevitably flow. Take, for example, Antonio Esfandiari; this former professional magician, who has recently been hired by the World Poker Tour as a spokesman of sorts, is being heralded for his ability to "work some magic" with the franchise' image.  We promise to limit our magic jokes in this article to a half dozen or less.

Antonio Esfandiari is called "The Magician" for a very good reason. He is one. He learned to cut cards with one hand, make coins vanish and reappear, and, presumably, pull a rabbit out of a hat. Whatever success he may have had in this career, however, was supplanted by the amazing run he has had as a poker player.

You could say he works miracles with the cards he is dealt.

Esfandiari, pals with the zany Phil "the Unabomber" Laak, has made a mint out of his poker game, but he isn't above making money with magic. In fact WPT founder Steve Lipscomb once hired Antonio to perform magic during a press release party. He did a great job weaving a spell over Lipscomb because he was the go to guy when the WPT was looking for a face man for their WPT Poker-Made Millionaire marketing.

The WPT has paid out a million dollars or more to 84 players – including Antonio –and wanted someone to represent this group. Antonio was tapped not just for his record but his youth, his connections, his image and his attitude. Poker is a game for everyone, but the youth seem to be the largest part of that "anyone", and many would find a guy like The Magician appealing.

If you are interested in becoming one of the WPT Poker-Made Millionaire club, check out the World Poker Tour Offers Page here.