funny that when High Stakes Poker started Antonio wasnt really a huge name in poker and he was in every episode(which is how he became a Star really)..
would def bet even money that Antonio was calling Mori, "Uncle Mori" before the Year 2000.
I actually heard a rumour that Mori is related to exactly 77% of the players ever to feature on poker after dark the remaining 23% got onto the show on merit.
funny that when High Stakes Poker started Antonio wasnt really a huge name in poker and he was in every episode(which is how he became a Star really)..
would def bet even money that Antonio was calling Mori, "Uncle Mori" before the Year 2000.
He became a star by winning WPT tournaments back when everyone watched the WPT IMHO. Like Gus.
He wasn't Gus famous until Uncle Mori made him a High Stakes Poker Mainstay..
PokerPlayer: You were there from series one and played every season. How did you first hear about the show and what were your initial thoughts on the concept?
Antonio Esfandiari: Mori [Eskandani], the producer, called me before its inception and asked me what I thought about a TV cash game – I told him I did not think it would work. Boy, was I wrong! To this day I still think it’s the most liked TV poker show because it is so real.
He must be a Mori favorite and who knows maybe mori is at the least a family friend but Anotnio was at least on a short list and in the middle of that list pre HSP. Him and Laak have always managed to get their faces shown.