Calculated Risk Taking - Prop Betting Q & A with Antonio Esfandiari

Like all professional poker players, Antonio Esfandiari has made a career out of gambling. He has earned nearly three million dollars playing tournament poker, both taking down the L.A. Poker Classic and winning a pot-limit hold 'em event at the World Series in 2004. But Esfandiari is also well known for his bets away from the table, many of which are now televised the show I Bet You, which he co-hosts with his friend and fellow notable pro, Phil Laak. Card Player caught up with Esfandiari at the end of day 1D at the main event to learn more about his prop betting exploits.

Ryan Cadrette: You've had some prop bets going with Victor Ramdin tonight. How did you end up for the day?

Antonio Esfandiari: We never made it to double or nothing, because I had to go back and play my hand. So I only owe him a thousand.

RC: Do you have any other interesting side bets with anyone?

AE: I have a last longer bet with a buddy of mine who is already out, but I haven't cashed in on that one yet. I have an f-word bet with a friend of mine for $5,000.

RC: How's that going?

AE: Neither one of us has budged yet.

RC: Do you have anything going with Phil Laak? Anything we can expect to see on the show?

AE: Nope.

RC: You recently lost a bet on the show and had to show your phone number on television. Have you changed your number since then?

AE: Yeah. I mean I still have that line, but I think I got at least like a thousand messages, and I don't even know how many calls. A lot. We're going to call back some of the numbers for season three.

RC: You guys seem to do a lot of prop bets at the tables, too. Is that usually just to pass the time, or do you see it as an actual source of income?

AE: It's for fun. I mean, if I think I have equity and someone wants to bet on something I'll do it. Like the f-word bet I have going with my friend, I think I have an edge because I have a lot of control. I can not say the f-word. No problem. So I wouldn't make that bet unless I have the best of it. I go around looking for prop bets trying to make money, but if it comes my way, I'm always trying to make a dollar.

RC: So would you consider yourself foremost a gambler or a poker player?

AE: I'm a calculated risk taker.

Card Player's Live Player Database - Antonio Esfandiari