Station Casinos-owned Ultimate Poker, which has yet to launch its pay-to-play website in Nevada, has a brand ambassador. The company, which has been licensed by state gaming regulators but is waiting for approval of its technology by testing laboratories, announced Tuesday that it has signed poker champion Antonio Esfandiari to promote the website. @pokerati.com

While the World Series of Poker Asia/Pacific Championship Event was reaching its final table, two side events (neither awarding a bracelet) were also finished on Sunday. @pokernewsdaily.com

Missed anything? Catch up with our weekly Saturday column, breaking down the top ten most read stories in the last seven days. There were a couple of big signings this week including “SportsStar” Ronaldo and poker pro Antonio Esfandiari. @pokernews.com

The 2013 World Series of Poker Asia-Pacific will see a lot of “firsts” in the next two weeks, but one of the most intriguing instances is the opening event in the series. @bluff.com

Legalized online poker is ready to launch any day now in Nevada, and one of the licensed online poker rooms, Ultimate Poker, has just made a bit of history, inking poker superstar Antonio Esfandiari to a sponsorship deal; making him the first poker player to represent a US.. @pokernewsboy.com

PartyPoker’s popular live invitation event, the PartyPoker Premier League VI, wrapped up this weekend after several days of opening heats. Holding the championship cup at the conclusion of the final table was Dan Shak, who also received $450,000 for his efforts. @pokernewsdaily.com

Dan Shak has taken down the PartyPoker.com Premier League VI tournament and $450,000 after outlasting Sam Trickett in the heads-up play. In addition to Trickett and Shak, the eight-handed final table featured Antonio Esfandiari, Jonathan Duhamel, Daniel "jungleman12" Cates, Tobias R.. @highstakesdb.com

On Friday, Daniel “Jungleman” Cates won his second heat of the PartyPoker Premier League VI. @pokernews.com

A look at the day's top poker stories including Antonio Esfandiari and Phil Hellmuth joining the PartyPoker Premier League Lineup, the parent company of the Stratosphere launching an online poker site, and more. @pokernews.com

Mike Matusow outlasted Scott Seiver in a marathon battle in the Semifinals, setting up a match against Phil Hellmuth for the title. Just two of the 64 players who entered the 2013 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship remain, with all the makings of a classic final match between Phil Hellmuth and Mike Matusow. @bluff.com

Antonio Esfandiari hopes to improve this year on his previous best finish in the NBC Heads-Up Championship, a semifinal appearance in 2006 The 2013 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship features 64 of the biggest names in poker, returning after a year’s hiatus to pit these players in a format that it made famous. @bluff.com

Antonio Esfandiari won two WSOP bracelets and over $19 million in 2012. Now he has two RCA's as well. Things just keep getting better for Antonio Esfandiari. @bluff.com

In 2012, the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan took in about $3 billion worth of funds forfeited from entities it thought had been engaged in crimes, The New York Times.. @cardplayer.com

Antonio Esfandiari has three World Series of Poker bracelets and two World Poker Tour titles. Thanks to his outgoing personality and undeniable charm, he’s been one of the most recognizable.. @cardplayer.com

Here is a look at the ones that made the biggest impact on the 2012 Card Player Player of the Year race, sponsored by Lock Poker. World Poker Tour Five.. @cardplayer.com

Ravi Raghavan started as the short stack at the final table of the WPT Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic and emerged as the winner, taking home more than $1. @pokernews.com

Marcin Wydrowski claimed the WPT Prague Title. (Photo c/o WPT) Just six players returned for the final table at the PartyPoker World Poker Tour Prague Main Event. @bluff.com

Bodo Sbrzesny leads the final six players. (Photo c/o WPT) Day Four of the PartyPoker World Poker Tour Prague Main Event began with 22 players returning, all with their eyes on the final table. @bluff.com

Antonio Esfandiari looks to end an historic 2012 and continue his unbelievable track record at the WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic. (Photo c/o World Poker Tour) Just one day of poker stands between the final 22 players and a chance at a televised World Poker Tour final table at the Doyle Brunson Five Diamond.. @bluff.com

What a year it's been so far for "The Magician" Antonio Esfandiari - not only did he win the biggest tournament the world has ever seen "All in for One Drop" for a staggering $18. @highstakesdb.com