This story was published more than 11 years ago.
33 year old American poker pro Antonio Esfandiari took home the winner's bracelet at the $1 million buy in Big One for One Drop poker tournament at the World Series of Poker.
Esfandiari took home $18,346,673 as well as a $250,000 winner's bracelet made from platinum. Esfandiari dedicated the win to his father Bejan, whom the winner says is his biggest fan and inspiration. Bejan was present to watch the win.
The final table consisted of UK pro Sam Trickett, Phil Hellmuth, David Einhorn, Guy Laliberte, Brian Rast, Richard Young, Bobby Baldwin, and poker broadcaster Mike Sexton.
Sexton bowed out first, earning $1,109,333 for finishing ninth.
The finishing results at the table were:
8th Richard Yong $1,237,333
7th Bobby Baldwin $1,408,000
6th Brian Rast $1,621,333
5th Bobby Baldwin $1,408,000
4th Phil Hellmuth $2,645,333
3rd David Einhorn $4,352,00
2nd Sam Trickett $10,112,001
Speaking about the win with ESPN Esfandiari said: "It's unbelievable. I just knew I was going to win. It's euphoric. I'm so happy right now, and I don't even think it has set in."
The tournament held a massive prize pool of $42,666,672, with 11.1% ($5.3 million) of the pot going to help third world water charities.
The World Series of Poker will now shift to the main event, which tournament organizers are expecting to have more than 7,000 entrants.
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