The Magician has done it again.
Antonio Esfandiari outlasted Sam Trickett on Tuesday to win $18.3 million -- the biggest payout in poker history.
Here's how it all went down:
Esfandiari went all in with trip 5s on the final hand, prevailing against Trickett's flush draw, to come out a millionaire 18 times over. Esfandiari, the top money winner in tournament poker, will add this honor to a pair of World Poker Tour titles and his World Series of Poker bracelet.
Held at the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, this was a three-day event, and the final hand was the 85th to be played. There was a $1 million buy-in for the "Big One for One Drop Texas Hold'em" event, and the exact figure of Esfandiari's winning total was $18,346,673. (Plus, he received a diamond and platinum bracelet.)
Trickett earned more than $10.1 million for his second-place finish. The tournament began with 48 players.
For perspective on Esfandiari's winnings, consider that the following NBA stars will be making less than $18 million in salary for the upcoming season: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade. Reigning Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning has a base salary of $10.75 million for the 2012 season.
The 2012 World Series of Poker continues with other events through July 16.
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