Amir Vahedi, the poker player known for his oversized cigars and playful attitude at the table and on TV, has died due to complications from diabetes.
The news of Vahedi’s passing quickly spread amongst poker players and poker fans through social media sites. Professional poker player Mark Seif sent a message through Twitter stating, “I’ve just been told by close friends of Amir Vahedi, that Vahedi passed away in Las Vegas on January 8, 2010, due to complications involving blood sugar levels. Waiting for for more details. Devastating news. Very very sad.”
Jeffrey Pollack, former tournament director for the World Series of Poker, tweeted, “Amir was one of my favorite people in poker…. This is so sad, RIP my friend, your laugh will always be missed!”
Vahedi made the televised final table of the World Series of Poker main event in 2003, taking home $250,000 in prize money. Through his career he has officially recorded $2.5 million in tournament prize money.
Vahedi was a former Iranian soldier and veteran of the Iran-Iraq war before coming to America as a political refugee. He is credited with teaching a number of people the finer arts of poker, including Hollywood celebrity Ben Affleck.