Open Side Menu Go to the Top
Register
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche."

01-18-2015 , 04:30 PM
I think antonio has a cool persona. I don't think it's elitist at all. Being confident and talkative is good. Also I think his table bantering is entertaining. Can't see how it is rude
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-18-2015 , 04:53 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by tsarast
he's the type of person who knows how to "make friends and influence people"...


Quote:
Originally Posted by RobFarha
My friend has told me that Antonio has introduced himself on 20 separate occasions, having no clue who my friend is every single time.

Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-18-2015 , 05:08 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by soulofarobot
I think the main issue is that I'm really sick of the environment of the poker world. There are some really good people, but a lot of the players carry themselves with a sense of entitlement....
- Lex (chicagojoey can confirm it's me)
Take out the word "poker" above and substitute any other profession, sector, career field, etc. and it would read just as true. It happens in any field where people accumulate wealth, some become entitled aholes (not saying that's Antonio) and others use their wealth to help others and treat everyone with respect, etc.

Anyone who has spent years in several different career fields (with poker just being a hopefully profitable hobby) will tell you the same, that poker is no different than any other field in terms of human behavior.
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-18-2015 , 05:31 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by massivetilt99
I think antonio has a cool persona. I don't think it's elitist at all. Being confident and talkative is good. Also I think his table bantering is entertaining. Can't see how it is rude
There is a fine line between confidence and cockiness. From what Ive watched since he has been on tv, AE crosses it on a regular basis imo.
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-18-2015 , 06:48 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by soulofarobot
Ok so. **** got out of hand a little.

Through reading this thread I realized airing out my opinion about Antonio in the way I did probably wasn't the smartest thing. Talked to some friends today and they (rightly) pointed out that by doing it this way I don't do anything to solve the problem.

I think the main issue is that I'm really sick of the environment of the poker world. There are some really good people, but a lot of the players carry themselves with a sense of entitlement. Almost as if the poker world is the only thing that exist. Then they start referring to people, who aren't as good at poker, by saying fish, idiot, moron etc. Or they'd treat people in service jobs like ****. it just makes it a very toxic environment and it does nothing to help the poker world grow. I understand for a lot of young guys that make a ton of money suddenly, it's hard and it's something you have to learn. It just seem like a lot of people get stuck in that behavior.

Because Antonio has a lot of visibility and I had some personal run-ins with him he kind of symbolized to me what I didn't like, hence the intensity of my critique towards him. Over the last few days I've had some good friends, that are also friends with Antonio and whose opinions I trust, contact me, and they told me that he has changed a lot, especially over the last year or so. Since I'm saying everything anyway, I think it's fair to share that publicly too. He probably still isn't the kind of person I would wanna hang out with, but that's fine because not everyone has to get along.

So to round this up, I shouldn't have shared it the way I did and I apologize for that. If there are things that I don't like, then I shouldn't keep putting myself in a situation where I'm around it, otherwise I probably only have myself to blame. Or do something more pro-active to help change it. I just don't really have a filter and I don't mind that and I don't have any intention of changing that. But if I can't admit that I handled **** poorly too, what makes me different from the people that turn me off from the poker world?

- Lex (chicagojoey can confirm it's me)
You come off a lot better in this post, in my opinion, than you did in the podcast. I agree with much of what you say about the poker world here and I think it shows class that you are willing to look back at what you said and how you said it and apologize for some elements within it.
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-18-2015 , 08:54 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by efra
What i dont really like in this is how that guy pretends getting surprised or shocked about what lex is telling him, stop pretending that way, looks terrible man...

And i think Lex is rigth, i mean the attitude of Antonio is kinda elitist, which it should be only in the poker table, not when you are going to get some drinks.
I think that guy was very surprised at what Lex was saying


I'm surprised this thread got this big, probably should advise people to not say they don't like anyone in the future
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-18-2015 , 08:58 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicagoJoey
I think that guy was very surprised at what Lex was saying


I'm surprised this thread got this big, probably should advise people to not say they don't like anyone in the future
Yeah, but u where kinda like.... hmmmm. How the *** im gonna respond to this. Sensitive material here.
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-18-2015 , 09:01 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicagoJoey
I'm surprised this thread got this big, probably should advise people to not say they don't like anyone in the future
I understand but disagree. I wouldn't censor. This has been some important things to consider and we love getting a little inside view of how some people are, even though we should take that information carefully. I'm glad that I heard what what I heard from Lex.
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-18-2015 , 09:02 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mujaro
Yeah, but u where kinda like.... hmmmm. How the *** im gonna respond to this. Sensitive material here.
lol yeah pretty much


Quote:
Originally Posted by adultsonlyversion?
I understand but disagree. I wouldn't censor. This has been some important things to consider and we love getting a little inside view of how some people are, even though we should take that information carefully. I'm glad that I heard what what I heard from Lex.
I agree with you but if someone saying I dont like this guy (insert well known poker player) will turn into something like this where a bunch of people now hate you because of your opinion than it probably is best to avoid that happen
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-18-2015 , 09:07 PM
Spam straight from the can is good!!
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-18-2015 , 10:34 PM
man lex is looking old now with the grey hair
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-18-2015 , 10:41 PM
ANTONIO IS A HORRIBLE HUMAN BEING BECAUSE HE MADE FUN OF ELKYS PANTS

**** THAT GUY
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-18-2015 , 11:46 PM
Lex in trying to be controversial shocker.

He reminds me of when I was like 17. The way he sort of smugly smiles when he says he doesn't like Antonio - like he's just so proud of how badass he is for being so outspoken and ****. Really, you're just ignorant and most people grow out of that. Reminds me when you used to see total *******s on reality TV and they're just like 'yeah, I'm just totally ME, I tell things like they are and I don't give a **** if you like me!', and it's just like... 'eh, no, you're just a complete fanny and obnoxious'.

What age is Lex, 31 or something? Still thinks he's badass for being outspoken as you can plainly tell from how often he says he's not 'got a filer' - what does that mean exactly? You have no social skills whatsoever? You're just rude to people in general?

They both sound like dicks to be honest.
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-18-2015 , 11:55 PM
antonio is a douche ask manny u know his friend in the popping bottles tmz article
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-18-2015 , 11:57 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wildspoke
It's obvious your friend never made an impression on him. At a certain point your friend needs to sack up.
Might be kinda hard for the friend to sack up when he's just the guy that washes and waxes the family car collection.
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-19-2015 , 12:10 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ninetynine99
Might be kinda hard for the friend to sack up when he's just the guy that washes and waxes the family car collection.
lol it's nothing like that.

fwiw he didn't say anything aggressive and just ignored Antonio
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-19-2015 , 12:49 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by tsarast
When it comes down to it the most important thing is this: I think these type of conversations ARE BEST HAD PRIVATELY.
Have to strongly agree with this, keep it private. Having it like this is no help to anyone.

Not that my opinion matters much but very briefly met Antonio in 2012 and seemed like a reasonable guy. Also played with Rast at WSOP APAC in Oct last year. Again seemed like a nice guy and do hope I don't meet at the table again. My impression of his Poker was that it was world class.
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-19-2015 , 01:00 AM
dang Lex,

If you are going to be a highly opinionated ,judgemental person at least have the balls to stick with what you say!!

meow,meow.
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-19-2015 , 03:22 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by good2cu
I don’t think the appropriate response to not liking someone’s invitation to dinner is to go talk to the press about how you would like to kick their ass.
this 100%. How weird is it that Lex didn't like the way he was invited to dinner, then had his PR team call all of the press outlets to get his story out...whats that?...he said it in conversation on a podcast? What press podcast was this? Variety? ....Oh the chicago times? ... Oh you said Chicago Joey's high stakes PLO podcast...
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-19-2015 , 04:18 AM
antonio coming off as a massive douche i don't think surprises anyone..
and with this video lex just elevated himself to antonio's douchebaggery level, congrats
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-19-2015 , 05:02 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by good2cu
I don’t think the appropriate response to not liking someone’s invitation to dinner is to go talk to the press about how you would like to kick their ass.
Step in for your friend, challenge him ! To the octagon guys ! Oh yeah, remember to put in a petition for allowing headbutts(if you somehow manage go get it through im betting my entire nw on you!)


Oh yeah, im jealous of your success and ill trade life in a heartbeat, even with forehead, keep on rocking!
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-19-2015 , 05:25 AM
Definitely a culture clash. As an American living most of my life in Europe, there are things about America and Americans that rub me the wrong way. Things you probably don't see as much when you are in the culture, but are immediately apparent when you live outside the country. Superficiality is one of those traits, as is entitlement. Los Angeles and Las Vegas are two of the worst cities for this, as well.

Still, a culture of entitlement doesn't excuse Antonio's behaviour. As an outsider not too long ago, he should know better. Perhaps overcompensation? Forgetting his humble roots, quick to treat others as he was treated when he first arrived in America?

I also remember another thread here a couple of years back about someone claiming how the top tournament players - or at least the sponsored players - are very cliquish. Perhaps it's just the culture of poker, now that, as Lex himself mentioned in the interview, so many people have won a major tournament. It's no longer exclusive to be a tournament champion. So how to maintain exclusivity, so important to superficial people? Brutally filter out those that, for whatever reason, aren't deserving to hang with the "top" players.

And I can see where someone from Europe, especially northern Europe, would have problems with that.

Perhaps it's just getting blown out of proportion. Antonio comes across as a nice guy on TV. Hoping he hasn't become an elitist prick.
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-19-2015 , 06:14 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by insyder19
Antonio asked him for a simple dinner in the evening, not to leave his family and friends and spend the rest of the trip with him.
alot of people dont seem to get that he wasnt pissed that he couldnt bring his friends but he was pissed teh way it was communicated

its a slight difference is somebody tell you

"listen buddy, its like a smaller thing today for dinner so i will not be able to fit your 4 friends, but tell you what, we do it another time"

or if somebody tell you

"yeah, well, this was supposed to be a small gathering today, and you cannot really bring your friends, because we want to keep it that way. but i give you an opportunity here and you are teh new guy here, so..."


2nd one id go ballistic as well and i dont even understand how there can be different opionions on teh matter, probably most people didnt even listen to teh podcast when he explained himself...



____

and i like antonio, great guy for poker, great for TV but IMO you should never forget where you came from and treat people wit teh respect you want to be treated with
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-19-2015 , 06:21 AM
3 threads on NVG right now just about Antonio Esfandiari, talk about escalation...this topic is not that interesting
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote
01-19-2015 , 10:04 AM
Antonio has admitted to being a massive nerd in his teens, who very likely got bullied a lot, but not laid. Then he learned magic tricks etc to get appreciation.
After he finally got approval for winning in a game of chance, he simply turned into the sort of bully he always feared when he was younger, which many weak souls do, in one way or another.
Ofc AE is acting plainly pathetic, so obviously overcompensating, now that he has success, that he has become a travesty of a personality.

I guess that Lex likely had a normal, nice childhood. Having friends and gf's, doing sport and party etc, so he has a very hard time to understand the dysfunctions in AE's behaviour.

Please be nice to the mentally impaired, Lex
Lex Veldhuis: "Antonio Esfandiari is a massive douche." Quote

      
m