2012 WSOP Europe: Esfandiari Wins Third Bracelet

Antonio Esfandiari is having one of the best years in poker tournament history.

Only months after winning the $1 million buy-in for a record $18.3 million, Esfandiari continued his streak by taking down the 2012 WSOP Europe €1,100 no-limit hold’em event. Esfandiari won €126,207 and his third career gold bracelet after topping the 626-player field.

This was the 33-year-old’s third final table of 2012, bringing his year-to-date earning to $18,661,648. In addition to the money, Esfandiari has also accumulated 2,280 Card Player POY points, moving him into 19th place in the standings.

Esfandiari was already one of poker’s most recognizable faces, but his success this year has brought him to the attention of the mainstream media. Esfandiari recently appeared as a guest on the Howard Stern Show, where he discussed a poker pro’s lifestyle and his huge win earlier this year.

Esfandiari entered the final table with a chip lead, and he entered heads-up play against Remi Bollengier also with a chip lead. He stretched his advantage until the final hand went down. Esfandiari opened from the button and Bollengier defended, the flop fell A 10 8, and Bollengier checked. Esfandiari bet 37,000 and Bollengier called. The turn brought the Q and Bollengier once again check-called, this time for 126,000.

The 5 fell on the river, and Bollengier checked for a third time. Esfandiari weighed his options before shoving. After several minutes in the tank, Bollengier made the call only to have Esfandiari reveal the Q 8 for two pair. Bollengier sent his Q 7 into the muck, securing the title for Esfandiari.

A number of other notables made deep runs in the WSOP Europe’s second event, including Salvatore Bonavena (3rd – €57,079), Antonin Teisserie (4th – €42,356), McLean Karr (6th – €24,309) and current eighth-ranked POY contender Joe Kuether (12th – €9,423).

Here’s a look at the payouts and POY points awarded:

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