Farzad Bonyadi was born in Tehran, Iran. When he was seven, Farzad's grandfather, a great card player, taught him how to play poker.

After the revolution, Farzad moved to Vienna where he enrolled in college and studied agriculture. He moved to the U.S. in 1983 and settled in the Los Angeles area. Through some friends, Farzad found a job as a proposition player at a casino. The job paid poorly, but Farzad used the opportunity to sharpen his game. Farzad played increasingly higher limits and mastered all of the different poker games.

After a few years, Farzad took a job as the executive host of the high-limit games at Commerce casino. For four years, Farzad both hosted and played in the biggest games Commerce had to offer. He played $400-$800 and $600-$1,200 mixed games with the likes of Johnny Chan, Freddy Deeb, David Oppenheim, Annie Duke, Ted Forrest, and Howard Lederer.

In 1997, Farzad made his first appearance in the World Series of Poker. He had never played in a tournament prior to the trip, yet he won the second event he played, a Limit Hold 'em tournament. In 1998, he won his second bracelet, this time playing a $2,000 2-7 Triple Draw tournament. Then, in 2005, Farzad joined the elite group of players who hold three bracelets by winning a $2,500 No-Limit Hold 'em tournament. In addition, he has made final tables in four other WSOP tournaments and two World Poker Tour events. In 2005, Farzad and his wife had their first child. Farzad enjoys being home with his family, so his trips to the casino are rare. Instead, he spends his time online, playing Internet poker as much as he can.

When he's not with his family or playing cards, Farzad is involved with soccer. He plays in club teams in the L.A. area, and follows professional leagues all over the world.