Antonio Esfandiari

It was a grueling final table with many ups and downs, but it was the 32-year-old former magician who came out on top nearly 11 hours after it started.

For the win, Esfandiari banks $870,124, a WPT bracelet and a $25,000 seat into the WPT Championship.

Play continues without a break as the blinds increase to 200,000-400,000 with a 25,000 ante.

Esfandiari raised too 850,000 on the button and Robl called. Both players checked the flop of QJ2.

The turn was the 5 and Esfandiari bet 825,000. Robl called and both players checked the 6 on the river. Robl showed A5 and took down the pot to increase his stack to 10,845,000. Esfandiari is down to 6,810,000.

You could say that the mood has definitely changed here in the Fontana Lounge. Most of Andrew Robl’s supporters are also big fans of Antonio Esfandiari, and vice versa. The end result is a very drunk, celebratory rail. The players themselves are not that far behind, having taken at least three double shots on camera and an undisclosed amount during the breaks.

During much of four- and three-handed play, the crowd was quiet, reflecting the tense moments on the felt. Now that these competitors have let loose, the audience has as well, talking amongst themselves and barely paying attention to the action.

Antonio Esfandiari raised to 600,000 and Andrew Robl called. The flop came Q63 and Robl checked.

Esfandiari bet 820,000 and Robl called. The turn was the 4 and Robl checked again. Esfandiari bet 1.9 million and Robl folded. With that pot, Esfandiari took a 9.4 million to 8.2 million lead.