Antonio Esfandiari sets poker tournament prize money record with $18.3 million win

American card king Antonio Esfandiari made history earlier this week in Las Vegas after bagging the world record for the greatest prize money won in a poker tournament.

Antonio beat off 47 of poker's best pros and wealthiest amateurs at the 'Big One For One Drop' tournament to claim the top prize payout of a cool $18.3 million.

Speaking after his win, Antonio insisted it wasn't thinking about the payday during the event.

Revealing he decided to play just a few days before the tournament started, he said: "I swear to you, believe it or not, I never thought about the money. I just wanted to win,"

The $1 million buy-in tournament also saw British runner-up Sam Trickett walk away with a not inconsiderable $10.1 million.

Part of the eye-watering entry fee for the event is set to go to One Drop, a charity which aims to raise public awareness of water-related issues in developing countries.