30 Dec 2025 Beginner This material is for beginner players Antonio Esfandiari’s return to High Stakes Poker was memorable, and he quickly reminded fans why he’s one of the most entertaining stars in the game. In a very interesting hand, “The Magician” won one of the biggest pots of his career. The cooler was so brutal that it left people watching in shock. A Familiar Face Returns to the Spotlight Antonio Esfandiari represents the poker boom era for many poker fans. His big tournament wins, aggressive style, and quick wit made him famous. However, Esfandiari has recently taken a break from the grind. He has spent more time with his family and hasn’t played a lot of high-stakes poker. Still, he hasn’t completely gone away. Esfandiari has been on well-known livestreams and TV games, such as Hustler Casino Live. He has always looked well-dressed and self-assured. His appearance in High Stakes Poker Season 15 showed that he still has excellent timing and guts. Antonio Esfandiari (Photo Courtesy Of PokerGo) The Setup for a Massive Cash Game Esfandiari was part of the lineup for Episode 6 of Season 15 on PokerGO. He played in a no-limit hold ’em game with $500/$1,000 blinds. Even though there have been many big moments this season, one hand in Episode 7 became an iconic scene right away. Sameh Elamaway, CEO of Scratch and a regular player on High Stakes Poker, started the action by raising to $5,000 with . Esfandiari called holding from a late position. Justin Gavri also joined the action from the big blind with . The flop fell . Esfandiari had flopped quads. Commentator Nick Schulman was shocked right away as the table processed what had just happened. A Brutal Turn Creates a Cooler There wasn’t much action on the flop, but the turn changed the game. When the hit the board, Elamaway had Aces full of Eights. Gavri checked, and Elamaway bet $10,000, knowing he had a monster hand. Esfandiari, who had a massive stack, raised to $37,000. He had almost $600,000. Elamaway fired back with a 3bet of $85,000, not knowing that he was drawing dead, but Gavri folded. The river brought the , which didn’t hurt Esfandiari’s call. Elamaway bet $225,000 and was just left with under a $100,000 stack. Esfandiari raised instantly, and Elamaway snap-called, which set up a huge surprise. Esfandiari Scoops Big Pot Esfandiari claimed the entire final pot of $824,500. The hand was quickly added to the list of the biggest coolers ever seen on High Stakes Poker. A very memorable hand almost 20 years ago was Gus Hansen beating Daniel Negreanu after hitting a one-outer for quads on the turn, and it remained in the minds of longtime fans. That pot was worth $575,500, a considerable amount at the time. You can only watch all 17 episodes of High Stakes Poker Season 15 on PokerGO. If this hand is any sign, Esfandiari’s comeback is already one of the best things to happen this season.
