As if he wasn’t magical enough already, Playground Player’s Club member Antonio Esfandiari might have pulled off the most impressive magic trick of his life taking down the biggest first place prize in sports history. Antonio mashed his way through a field of fierce competitors including Tom Dwan, Erik Seidel, Mike Sexton and Playground’s own Johnny ‘Malibu’ winning a whopping $18,346,673 at the 2012 WSOP Event 55 ‘-The Big One for One Drop. ‘

In addition to the massive truck load of money, Antonio also took home the first ever WSOP platinum bracelet valued at $350000 that he later dedicated to his supportive father who has been in his corner all his life.

‘I just wanted to win, so I could give my dad the bracelet’ says Antonio, ‘my dad has been my biggest fan, my biggest supporter since the beginning and I love him more than anything in the world’ continues the Magician.

Presenting him the bracelet was none-other than The Big One for One Drop tournament founder Guy Laliberte, who embraced Esfandiari with a warm hug after being busted by his friend in fifth place. The two sported clown noses made famous on the felt by the Cirque du Soleil founder himself and further reminding players and railbirds alike why the event was so special. $111,111 of each player’s million dollar buy-in went to the One Drop charity to provide clean, drinkable water to people in need around the world.

Playground Poker Club, Antonio’s home club in Canada is a huge supporter of its local community. They have helped raise money through countless charity poker tournaments, including last year’s NLH Faceoff, raising over $60000 for hereditary breast cancer research with the help of past and present Montreal Canadiens and the Magician himself.

Antonio is expected to play in the 2012 WPT Montreal national tour event at Playground in November of 2012 on the promise that he won’t be dunked in a tank of freezing cold water by his good friend Phil Laak, like he was in the Laak and Esfandiari Open in March of this year.

Playground would like to congratulate Antonio on his amazing win and the overall success of the Big One for One Drop at the 2012 WSOP.