Mori Eskandani: Poker Hall of Famer, Player and Producer
Mori Eskandani is a Poker Hall of Fame member, longtime high-stakes poker player, television producer, and president of PokerGO whose influence on the game extends far beyond his tournament results. Before becoming one of the most important figures behind televised poker, Eskandani spent years playing professionally in cash games and tournaments. His later work on programs including High Stakes Poker, Poker After Dark, the World Series of Poker, and the National Heads-Up Poker Championship helped shape how millions of viewers experienced poker on television.
Eskandani was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2018 alongside John Hennigan. Although his contributions to poker broadcasting were central to that honor, Eskandani has also remained a capable player. As of August 2026, Hendon Mob data lists more than $1.28 million in live tournament earnings, highlighted by a $201,600 victory in a 2024 PokerGO Tour H.O.R.S.E. event.
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Who Is Mori Eskandani?
Mori Eskandani is an Iranian-born American poker player, producer, and poker industry executive who has spent several decades in the game.
Eskandani moved to the United States in 1974 at age 18. He had already been exposed to poker as a child and continued playing after arriving in the United States. While attending college, he began visiting American card rooms and became increasingly involved in poker.
After earning a marketing degree, Eskandani found that playing poker could be more profitable than the conventional jobs he was working. Poker gradually became his profession, and he developed into an experienced cash game player before eventually moving to Las Vegas during the 1980s.
His career later took an unusual turn. Instead of remaining known primarily for what he accomplished at the table, Eskandani became one of the central figures behind the cameras during poker's expansion on television.
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Mori Eskandani's Poker Career
Eskandani was an established poker player long before becoming a television producer.
The World Series of Poker has described him as a noted high-stakes cash game player after his move to Las Vegas in the 1980s. His background was particularly important later in his television career because he understood poker from the perspective of the people actually playing the game.
Tournament records for Eskandani date back to the 1980s. His results span several decades and include success in hold'em, stud, H.O.R.S.E., and other mixed-game formats.
While tournament poker was never the sole focus of his career, his longevity and versatility have produced a substantial record.
As of August 2026, Hendon Mob data lists:
More than $1.28 million in live tournament earnings
A career-best live tournament cash of $201,600
Tournament results dating back to the 1980s
Success in several different poker variants
Deep runs at both the World Series of Poker and PokerGO Tour
Cash-game results are generally private and are not included in Hendon Mob tournament earnings.
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1993 WSOP Main Event Run
One of Eskandani's most notable early tournament performances came in the 1993 World Series of Poker Main Event.
Eskandani finished 15th in the $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em World Championship. Jim Bechtel ultimately won that year's Main Event.
Finishing that deep in the Main Event was an important achievement in Eskandani's playing career and came years before poker television made many professional players widely recognizable to the public.
Eskandani continued recording WSOP cashes in later decades, including results during the modern poker era.
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Mixed-Game Success
Eskandani's tournament record reflects the mixed-game background associated with many longtime high-stakes professionals.
He has recorded results in Seven Card Stud, H.O.R.S.E., Limit Hold'em, 8-Game, and other formats in addition to No-Limit Hold'em.
One notable result came at the 2012 WSOP, when Eskandani finished ninth in the $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship for $35,923.
More than a decade later, he produced the largest tournament score of his career.
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Mori Eskandani Wins His First PGT Title
In March 2024, Eskandani won Event #3 of the PokerGO Tour Mixed Games series, a $10,200 H.O.R.S.E. tournament at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas.
The event attracted 63 entries and generated a $630,000 prize pool.
Eskandani defeated Jeremy Ausmus heads-up to win:
$201,600
His first PokerGO Tour title
The largest live tournament cash of his career
The final table also included accomplished mixed-game players Benny Glaser, Daniel Negreanu, and Jerry Wong.
The victory pushed Eskandani past $1 million in recorded lifetime tournament earnings.
It was also notable because it demonstrated that decades after establishing himself as a professional player, Eskandani could still win against elite contemporary mixed-game competition.
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Recent Tournament Results
Eskandani continued producing meaningful tournament results after his 2024 PGT victory.
At the 2025 PGT Mixed Games series, he finished second in the $10,200 Mori's Mix event for $136,500.
A few months later, he reached another major mixed-game final table at the 2025 World Series of Poker.
Eskandani finished fifth in the $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship for $70,587. The tournament attracted 127 entries and featured a final table that included Nick Guagenti, Chino Rheem, Paul Volpe, Adam Friedman, Dan Heimiller, and Mike Matusow.
Those results added to a tournament career that now stretches across more than four decades.
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From Poker Player to Television Producer
Eskandani's greatest influence on poker came through television.
His experience as a player gave him an understanding of what made poker compelling from both sides of the table. He eventually brought that knowledge into television production at a time when televised poker was becoming a major source of growth for the game.
Eskandani worked with Poker Hall of Famer Henry Orenstein, whose contributions to televised poker included the development of hole-card camera technology.
Eskandani later became the driving force behind Poker PROductions, which produced some of the most recognizable poker programming of the modern era.
His production credits have included:
High Stakes Poker
Poker After Dark
World Series of Poker coverage
National Heads-Up Poker Championship
Other major televised poker productions
Rather than presenting poker simply as cards being dealt around a table, Eskandani helped develop broadcasts that emphasized personalities, decisions, pressure, table conversation, and the underlying competition.
That approach became an important part of how poker was presented to mainstream television audiences.
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High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark
Two programs are particularly closely associated with Eskandani's television legacy: High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark.
High Stakes Poker brought major cash-game players together in a televised setting that allowed viewers to watch substantial real-money pots involving players such as Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, Barry Greenstein, Sammy Farha, and other prominent professionals.
Poker After Dark used a more intimate format and featured many of poker's best-known players competing in televised games and tournaments.
Both shows became significant parts of poker culture during and after the poker boom.
Eskandani's experience as a longtime player helped him understand which personalities, formats, and situations could make poker compelling without losing the authenticity of the game.
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Mori Eskandani and the World Series of Poker
Eskandani also played an important role in World Series of Poker television production.
Poker PROductions became heavily involved in producing WSOP coverage, extending Eskandani's influence to poker's most famous tournament series.
The WSOP itself cited that television work when announcing his induction into the Poker Hall of Fame.
His unusual combination of high-stakes playing experience and television production knowledge helped bridge two different parts of the poker industry. Eskandani understood what players needed at the table while also understanding what broadcasters needed to create a compelling viewing experience.
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Poker Hall of Fame Induction
Mori Eskandani was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2018 alongside John Hennigan.
The Hall of Fame recognizes both accomplished players and individuals whose contributions helped produce lasting growth and success for poker.
In announcing Eskandani's induction, the WSOP emphasized his work bringing major poker programming to television audiences, including the WSOP, Poker After Dark, High Stakes Poker, and the National Heads-Up Poker Championship.
His induction reflected an important part of poker history: the game's growth was driven not only by the champions sitting at the tables but also by the people who figured out how to present poker to a much larger audience.
Eskandani belongs to both groups.
He was an accomplished high-stakes player before becoming one of poker television's most influential producers.
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President of PokerGO
Eskandani's influence on poker media continued with PokerGO.
He was named president of PokerGO in 2021 after already working with the company for several years.
As of August 2026, the World Series of Poker continues to identify Eskandani as PokerGO president.
PokerGO has become a major platform for live and on-demand poker coverage, including high-stakes tournaments, cash games, original programming, and historic poker broadcasts.
The position places Eskandani at the center of an industry he helped develop decades earlier.
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Mori Eskandani's Playing Style
Eskandani's extensive background in traditional high-stakes cash games and mixed games makes it difficult to characterize him simply as a No-Limit Hold'em tournament player.
His tournament results demonstrate experience across several disciplines, particularly stud and mixed-game formats.
That versatility was evident in his 2024 H.O.R.S.E. victory and his 2025 final-table appearances in Mori's Mix and the WSOP Seven Card Stud Championship.
His playing career comes from an era when many top professionals were expected to understand numerous poker variants rather than specialize exclusively in No-Limit Hold'em.
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Why Mori Eskandani Matters to Poker
Eskandani occupies an unusual position in poker history because his influence can be measured both at the table and through the way the game has been presented to audiences.
He spent years competing as a professional poker player.
He recorded tournament results over more than four decades.
He competed in high-stakes cash games.
He helped create and produce some of poker's best-known television programs.
He became president of PokerGO.
And in 2018, he entered the Poker Hall of Fame.
For many poker fans, Eskandani's name may not be as immediately recognizable as the players who appeared on camera. His work, however, helped make many of those players famous.
That combination of playing experience, television production, and industry leadership makes his career different from almost anyone else's in poker.
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Major Poker Accomplishments
Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2018
President of PokerGO
More than $1.28 million in recorded live tournament earnings as of August 2026
Won the 2024 PGT Mixed Games $10,200 H.O.R.S.E. event for $201,600
First PokerGO Tour title came in 2024
Finished second in the 2025 $10,200 Mori's Mix event for $136,500
Finished fifth in the 2025 WSOP $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship for $70,587
Finished 15th in the 1993 WSOP Main Event
Longtime high-stakes cash game player
Produced major poker television programming including High Stakes Poker, Poker After Dark, and World Series of Poker coverage
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Mori Eskandani's Current Status
As of August 2026, Eskandani remains an important figure in the poker industry and is identified by the World Series of Poker as president of PokerGO.
His recent tournament performances also show that he continues to compete selectively. His 2024 PGT title and two significant 2025 mixed-game results came decades after the beginning of his professional poker career.
For Eskandani, however, tournament winnings represent only part of his legacy.
His larger contribution is the role he played in transforming poker from a game that was difficult to present on television into a spectator product capable of attracting audiences around the world.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mori Eskandani?
Mori Eskandani is a Poker Hall of Fame member, longtime poker player, television producer, and president of PokerGO. He is particularly known for his work on High Stakes Poker, Poker After Dark, World Series of Poker broadcasts, and other major poker television productions.
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Is Mori Eskandani a professional poker player?
Yes. Eskandani played professionally for many years and was known as a high-stakes cash game player before becoming heavily involved in television production. He has also recorded live tournament results spanning more than four decades.
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How much has Mori Eskandani won playing poker?
As of August 2026, Hendon Mob data lists Mori Eskandani with $1,286,832 in live tournament earnings. Cash-game winnings are not included in that figure.
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What is Mori Eskandani's biggest tournament cash?
Eskandani's largest recorded live tournament cash is $201,600. He earned it by winning the $10,200 H.O.R.S.E. event at the 2024 PokerGO Tour Mixed Games series.
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Has Mori Eskandani won a PokerGO Tour title?
Yes. Eskandani won his first PGT title in March 2024 by defeating Jeremy Ausmus heads-up in a $10,200 H.O.R.S.E. event. He earned $201,600.
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Has Mori Eskandani won a WSOP bracelet?
Eskandani has recorded numerous WSOP cashes and deep runs but has not won a World Series of Poker bracelet.
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How did Mori Eskandani do in the WSOP Main Event?
Eskandani's deepest recorded WSOP Main Event finish came in 1993, when he placed 15th.
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When was Mori Eskandani inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame?
Mori Eskandani was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2018 alongside John Hennigan.
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Why is Mori Eskandani in the Poker Hall of Fame?
Eskandani was honored for his lasting contributions to the growth of poker, particularly through television production. His work helped bring programs including the WSOP, Poker After Dark, and High Stakes Poker to large audiences.
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What poker television shows has Mori Eskandani produced?
Eskandani has been associated with major productions including High Stakes Poker, Poker After Dark, the National Heads-Up Poker Championship, and World Series of Poker television coverage.
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What does Mori Eskandani do now?
As of August 2026, the World Series of Poker identifies Mori Eskandani as president of PokerGO. He also continues to appear selectively in major poker tournaments.
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Sources
World Series of Poker
Poker Hall of Fame
PokerGO Tour
PokerGO
Hendon Mob
PokerNews