Antonio Esfandiari makes high-stakes poker comeback on High Stakes Friday

After years away from the tables, the poker icon is back for a high-risk, high-reward clash. Will his legendary skills still dominate the game?

, and Administrator

2026 March 14 . 1:14 PM

1 min read

The image shows a group of people sitting around a table playing poker, with a wall, window, door,... — The image shows a group of people sitting around a table playing poker, with a wall, window, door, and various objects in the background. At the bottom of the image, there is text that reads "Draw Poker - Laying for 'em Sharp".

Antonio Esfandiari makes high-stakes poker comeback on High Stakes Friday

Antonio Esfandiari will return to the poker spotlight on September 5. The professional player, known for his high-stakes success, is joining Hustler Casino Live's High Stakes Friday stream. This marks his first livestream appearance since December 2019.

Esfandiari has kept a low profile in poker since 2019. His last recorded tournament cash dates back to that year, and he has not competed in major events since. Instead, he has focused on family life and outdoor activities, stepping back from the game.

His upcoming appearance on *High Stakes Friday* will be live on the HCL YouTube channel at 4:30pm PT. He will play alongside Nik Airball, Señor Tilt, Steve, and Han. In his most recent livestream, he turned a $50,000 buy-in into a $298,500 win. With $27,810,802 in live tournament earnings, Esfandiari holds the record for the second-largest single cash in poker history. He has also featured on shows like *No Gamble, No Future Season 6* and the *PokerStars Big Game on Tour*.

The livestream will give fans a chance to see Esfandiari back in action after years away. His return to high-stakes play follows a long break from competitive poker. The event will be available to watch on Hustler Casino Live's official YouTube channel.