» Antonio Esfandiari Interview
Antonio 'The Magician' Esfandiari, 31, needs no introduction to the poker world. He is one of the most entertaining, charming, and successful poker pros. He has won WSOP bracelets and WPT titles. He has appeared on just about every poker TV show available at one time or another. Antonio is the most visible pro on the new Victory Poker team that launched earlier this year and he gave us a few minutes to answer some fun questions.
Welcome to Poker Curious, Antonio. What does it mean to you to be so heavily involved with Victory Poker and what made you choose Victory over other sites? Previous you were associated with both UltimateBet and the WPT, how does Victory Poker differ from those?
Victory is a project I got to be involved in from its birth. It's incredibly exciting to watch something of this nature start from the beginning. I have a great relationship with Dan Fleyshman, the CEO, and all the other pros on the site are good friends of mine, which brings another amazing element to the project. I didn't want to be with a site where I was just another guy in a pond full of other pros. Victory Poker just fit. 
What is the most fun thing about being involved with Victory? Is there any aspect of being involved that you dislike? How did it feel to take a bullet in the chest in the name of promotion lol?
The only thing I don't like is when Dan, the CEO, in fact we all just call him CEO - makes me do stuff. He dragged me to London for an affiliate convention a couple of months back and put me to WORK! I'm not designed to work. I'm built for the spa, poker table and nightclubs.
How did it feel to take a bullet in the chest in the name of promotion...lol?
The bullet in the chest was my own choosing! I figure if it was bulletproof (the vest) I was a massive favorite to be OK. and what the heck I hadn't seen it done before, so why not?
Were you involved in the creation of the Martini type logo? We know you have a penchant for enjoying a lot of nightclubs and partying?
That was all CEO and Michael Godard. He is such a bad-ass when it comes to paintings and what not. I own a few of his pieces and he's an all around great guy. I was so happy that he did our artwork.
If you had to choose just one other member from the Victory Poker team to hit the clubs with who would it be and why?
No-brainer...Brian Rast (on very right). When he gets drunk, he does this dance. I'd try and explain it but words cannot do it justice. Not to mention he is my closest friend on Team Victory and I love him to death.
We've seen you playing on the latest season of High Stakes poker. How did you enjoy this season? Also, they present you as playing a very tight style... would you say this is your usual style? Also, how did you feel when Eli correctly called you down with no pair on the latest episode... after you had created a tight image!
I haven't seen the hand with Eli, but I'm sure if he called me down with Ace high and won it hurt me! I did play tight. Why in the world would I try and run over durrrr and Ivey and so on?! That game only went for ONE day - I was there to earn - not to show off on TV. Had I got a little crazy I wouldn't of had the chance to come back the next day and try to get unstuck. If I could play in that game everyday, I would play a much different style.
You are a natural gambler, what would need to be on the line to throw you out of your comfort zone in a game of poker? A certain high stakes level? An embarrassing side bet? A chance for a date with your dream girl? What would that dream girl be like?
Dream girl - not to sound stereotypical, but she does have to be hot! My first initial attraction to a girl is based purely on looks. Once that step is complete, there are a few more things that are of massive relevance. #1 - She has to have a brain. If i cannot communicate with her on a broad range of subjects, I tend to get bored real quick. #2 - She has to be a good girl. If a girl is willing to sleep with me on the first night, the chance of a real thing between me and her goes right out the window. #3 - She has to be family oriented. #4 - She must have a sense of humor and more importantly appreciate mine. #5. - I'll stop at 5 but I could go on forever. She has to get along with my friends. I am so lucky to have the friends that I do - I cannot ask for a better group of boys - if they don't like her shes got to go. No questions asked. Oh and one more thing, she CANNOT smoke cigarettes or do hard drugs.
You always seem to be enjoying yourself and your life. What advice could you give to others who wish to emulate your success on and off the tables?
Take life for what it is. Every situation you are in, try and make the best of it. Always think to yourself, you don't ever want to be on your deathbed wishing you had done this or that...go after what you want. Do what you want. Be aggressive in life. If you see a hot girl walking on the street, GO TALK TO HER! What's the worst that can happen? She blows you off and you NEVER see her again. But imagine she gives you her number and she turns out to be your soul mate. Don't let life pass you by.
On the recent episodes of the WSOPE, we saw Phil Hellmuth launch into a tirade about how you have always gotten lucky against him. I for one thought you played exceptionally well and always have against him, right from when you tormented him en route to your first WPT win. What is it that helps you play so well against him? Did 'The Magician' cast a lifelong spell on 'The Poker Brat'?
Hellmuth - I just own him. He's right! I've always gotten lucky against him, but I also feel like I've always outplayed him as well. Put those two things together and he is drawing pretty slim. There is nothing better than torturing Hellmuth on national television. And my long standing offer still stands - ANYTIME he wants to play heads up for $100k and the winner gets to shoot the loser with a Taser gun I'm IN! It's a lifelong invitation. 
What does the future hold for Antonio?
The future - I'm 31 and have major baby fever. I would love to have my very own family someday. Don't worry, I'm not quite ready to throw in my cards just yet...but...that day might come around sooner than expected.
Any more life advice to leave us with?
LIFE IS SHORT!
Thanks for your time, Antonio.
