"Ladies and Gentlemen, It's Been a Pleasure"

We've just lost one of the most entertaining and successful poker players in the world in Antonio Esfandiari. Fittingly, his demise came in a very interesting hand.

It began when action folded to Esfandiari and he said aloud, "Ladies and gentlemen, it's been a pleasure."

He then raised to 105,000, leaving himself just 30,000 behind. Action folded around to local player Rahul Rastogi in the small blind and he eyed up Esfandiari's remaining stack, glanced over at Ami Barer in the big blind, and then announced a raise to 202,000. Much to the surprise of those surrounding the table, Barer then snap-shoved for 410,000.

Rastogi seemed a bit shocked at the sudden turn of events and hit the tank after Esfandiari had caleld off his remaining chips.

"It's a long flight down under," said Esfandiari regarding the long flight he'll have back to the States. At that point Esfandiari got up out of his seat and began to collect his things. Eventually Rastogi folded what he claimed were jacks, and the cards were turned up.

Esfandiari:
Barer:

Barer had woken up with a legitimate hand, and that left Esfandiari calling for a six. His optimism was short lived though as the flop delivered Barer a set and left "The Magician" in need of running sixes. The turn took away any chance of that happening, and after the was run out on the river, Esfandiari made his way to the payout desk in 42nd place.