Mori Eskandani: Poker is a Street Game

Mori Eskandani, the president of Poker PROductions, a company he founded in 2003, has had a remarkable journey in the world of poker. Born in Iran, Mori moved to America at the age of 18 to develop his family's import-export business. However, his life took a turn when he started playing poker in Vancouver in the early 1980s while working in a financial firm.

Mori's wife encouraged him to focus on poker after he was not paid his salary for several months. This decision led him to move to Las Vegas in 1985 to become a professional poker player. In his first week in Las Vegas, Mori won $6,000 by playing 80 hours of poker. This significant win convinced him to stay and pursue his poker career.

During his time in Las Vegas, Mori played in various casinos such as StarDust, Golden Nugget, and sometimes in MGM. He mentioned that Eric Drake, a friend, was the first tournament director of the World Series of Poker. Mori's unique ability to engage with amateur players made him a favorite among tourists and wealthy businessmen who visited Las Vegas for entertainment.