When discussing the best poker players in the world, it’s impossible not to mention Justin Bonomo. This pro has cemented his name among poker legends, amassing an impressive array of titles, awards, and earnings. As of the beginning of 2023, he’s on top of the all-time money list with over $60 million of live tournament winnings.
Thanks to an ever-evolving game style and an unwavering determination to succeed, Bonomo has quickly become a modern icon in the poker world. In this article, we’ll explore the life and accomplishments of this exceptional poker talent.
Early years of playing poker
Justin Bonomo, born on September 30, 1985, in Fairfax, Virginia, displayed a keen interest in strategy games from a young age. As a teenager, he excelled in competitive Magic: The Gathering, the world’s most popular trading card game. For years Magic has been a gateway to a professional poker player career for many young adults. It was no different for Bonomo, who discovered poker while he was an avid Magic player and quickly began honing his skills in online games.
In the early 2000s, online poker experienced a massive boom, and Justin Bonomo quickly embraced this new challenge. He quickly made a name for himself in the online poker community under the screen name “ZeeJustin.” Bonomo’s natural talent and strategic mindset translated well to the world of poker, and it wasn’t long before he began making waves on the professional poker scene.
Breaking through in the poker world
Justin Bonomo’s first significant live appearance took place in 2005 when he finished fourth in the inaugural edition European Poker Tour (EPT) French Open, earning €31,500. While that sum is not impressive by today’s standards, almost 20 years ago, it was a solid payout. It’s worth mentioning that Bonomo was 19 at the time, which made him the youngest player to be featured at the televised final table. This result was the first of many indicators that Bonomo had the potential to become one of the best poker players globally.
Over the next few years, Bonomo continued to make a name for himself in the poker world, with several notable scores and final table appearances at the World Poker Tour and World Series of Poker main event in Las Vegas. Justin did have to wait long for his first prestigious tournament win – on April 2009, he won $5,000 WSOP Circuit Event, earning over $227,000 and WSOP Ring for his efforts. This victory marked the beginning of Bonomo’s ascent into the ranks of the world’s elite poker players.
A force to be reckoned with even amongst the best professional poker players
As Justin Bonomo’s reputation grew, he continued to build an impressive resume. In 2014, he achieved a significant milestone by winning his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet in the $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Six-Handed event. This win solidified Bonomo’s status as a top-tier professional poker player and showcased his mastery of various poker formats.
Bonomo’s winning streak didn’t end there. Throughout the years, he consistently reached the final tables, earning more titles and accolades. Some of his most notable achievements include multiple high roller event victories, as well as triumphs in prestigious poker tournaments such as the Super High Roller Bowl and the Poker Masters.
2018: A Record-Breaking Year
Justin Bonomo’s most extraordinary year came in 2018 when he broke multiple records and surpassed even the highest expectations. His incredible run began in May when he won the Super High Roller Bowl China, earning a staggering $4.8 million. This victory was followed by another first-place finish in the Super High Roller Bowl in Las Vegas, netting Bonomo an additional $5 million.
In July 2018, Bonomo won the most significant WSOP of his career. Firstly he bested the challenging field of 114 players in the $10,000 Heads Up Championship, earning $185,965 and his second WSOP bracelet. Only two days later, he’s played and won the biggest event in his already successful career – The Big One for One Drop, a WSOP $1 million buy-in tournament. This win earned him a colossal $10 million prize and increased his WSOP bracelets count to three. By the end of the year, Bonomo had amassed over $25 million in earnings, making 2018 the most successful year ever for a single poker player.
A Legacy in the Making
Thanks to his incredible 2018 run, Justin Bonomo surpassed Daniel Negreanu and Bryn Kenney as the all-time money winner in poker, with more than $60 million in total live tournament earnings. As of the beginning of 2023, his lead over KidPoker and Kenney amounts to over $2,5 and $10 million, respectively. These astounding results further cement Bonomo’s status among the best poker players in history.
Although Bonomo’s competitive spirit remains as strong as ever, he has also become an advocate for various charitable causes. Bonomo frequently donates a portion of his winnings to organizations such as the Against Malaria Foundation and the Machine Intelligence Research Institute, demonstrating his commitment to giving back to the community.
Despite playing poker professionally for almost 20 years, Bonomo stays sharp
From his early beginnings in Magic: The Gathering to his unprecedented success in the world of professional poker, Justin Bonomo has proven that he is a fearless contestant. His exceptional skill, adaptability, and dedication have earned him a well-deserved spot among the best poker players of all time.
Soon to be a member of the Poker Hall of Fame?
As Bonomo continues to dominate the poker world, his induction into the poker hall of fame seems only a matter of time. Due to the minimum age of members set to 40, Justin still has to wait until 2025 to be an eligible candidate.
For now, we’re sure that with his unwavering passion for the game and his seemingly limitless potential, there’s no telling what heights Justin Bonomo will reach in the years to come and how many amateur poker players he’ll inspire.
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