2011 March 19 | Poker Blog

Phil Ruffin Bio

Posted by Poker Videos on March 19th, 2011

Phil Ruffin Bio

Citizens of Las Vegas and the business world in general know American businessman Phil Ruffin. The Las Vegas resident has been listed on Forbes 400 list of wealthiest people in the world numerous times. He is worth well over $2 Billion.

While he is known for many of his business ventures, his most well known venture may have been the purchase of the Frontier Hotel and Casino in 1999. Margaret Elardi and her family owned the casino at the time and the casino was in a long term strike with the Culinary Workers Union. Soon after the sale, the strike was settled and Ruffin ran the property until 2007. He then sold the property to El Ad Properties for $1.2 Billion. The 36 acre property commanded the highest per acre price in the history of the Las Vegas Strip.

Robert Croak Bio

Posted by Poker Videos on March 19th, 2011

Robert Croak Bio

If you have children, or even if you have friends with children, then you probably have heard of Silly Bandz. Silly Bandz are essentially silicone rubber bands that are made into different shapes. The creator of those bands is entrepreneur and high-stakes amateur poker player Robert Croak.

Croak is a 47 year-old businessman from Toledo, Ohio and he is involved in several business ventures. He runs a company called BCP Imports that makes Silly Bandz. In another venture he also serves as a concert promoter doing business as Verso Group Enterprises. He also is part of the group that operates Marco’s Pizza in Denver, Colorado.

Antonio Esfandiari Bio

Posted by Poker Videos on March 19th, 2011

Antonio Esfandiari Bio

Antonio Esfandiari was born in 1978 in the country of Iran and he moved to America with his family when he was only 9 years old. He graduated from high school in 1997 and later became a professional magician. While working as a magician, Esfanidari was introduced to the game of Texas Hold Em and the rest was history.

Esfandiari made his first major impact on the poker world in 2004 when he won the WPT LA Poker Classic. He defeated Vinny Vinh for the title and the $1.399 Million prize. Later that year, Antonio took down his only WSOP bracelet when he won the $2,000 Pot-Limit Hold Em event.

Barry Greenstein Bio

Posted by Poker Videos on March 19th, 2011

Barry Greenstein Bio
Screen name Barryg1

Barry Greenstein Photo

Barry Greenstein started his poker career much like many other players. First, he got into the game to chase money and to make himself a living. Later in life, the game became a way for him to give back to those that were less fortunate.

Greenstein learned how to play poker from his father at an early age and he continued to play poker through his youth and into adulthood. He went to college at the University of Illinois at Urbana in Champaign. He studied both Computer Science and Mathematics and he received a BA in Computer Science. Greenstein played poker through college and then proceeded to continue to play professionally after he graduated.