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Poker's new deal

An $18 million prize, sealed with the turn of a card. This is the story of Antonio Esfandiari and how poker went from smoky back rooms to the global sporting mainstream.

Antonio Esfandiari's heart was beating like a drum. $18 million was stacked up about 12 feet away from where he was sitting. Only one other poker player stood between him and the biggest prize in the game's history.

Everyone held their breath as the dealer revealed the final card.

For Esfandiari, it represented the culmination of a career which began in very different circumstances; for poker itself, the change was immeasurable. This is the story of how a card game went from smoky back rooms to the global sporting mainstream.

Audio scenes have been re-created. Let us know what you think #AmazingSportStories

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15 minutes

Podcast