Poker World Mourns Passing of Amir Vahedi

This weekend the poker world lost one of their own, 46 year old Amir Vahedi passed away on January 8th reportedly due to complications of diabetes.

Vahedi was perhaps best known for his sixth-place finish in the 2003 World Series of Poker main event, where his colorful personality was on display for many people around the world who were just starting to get interested in the game. Known for his trademark cigars and his willingness to gamble, Vahedi was one of poker’s first TV stars.

The Iranian-born pro won over $3.1 million in tournament earnings. Besides his 2003 main-event run, which earned him $250,000, some of Vahedi’s career highlights include his 2003 WSOP bracelet win for $270,000 in a $1,500 no-limit hold’em event, a win in a $1,500 event at the 2005 Los Angeles Poker Classic for $446,292, and a win in the televised Ultimate Poker Challenge in 2005 for $181,390.

Vahedi was a member of the Iran army before moving to the United States as a political refugee. Once settled in the U.S., he became very active in the poker world and has been a fixture of the tournament scene in the past decade, befriending many poker players along the way.

News Added: 11 January, 2010

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