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Justin Bonomo
Justin Bonomo
from Wikipedia

Justin Bonomo (born September 30, 1985) (known online as ZeeJustin) is an American high-stakes professional poker player, and a former Magic the Gathering competitor.[5] He became the youngest player to be featured at a televised final table on February 19, 2005, when he placed fourth during the inaugural year of the EPT at the French Open in Deauville, France.[6] He was 19 at the time.

Key Information

As of August 2025, he has the fourth-highest live tournament poker money winnings of all time,[7] with US$65.6 million.[8]

At the World Series of Poker, Bonomo has 55 cashes, made 19 final tables, and has won three bracelets and one circuit ring for $14,292,554 in winnings.[9] His first bracelet came in 2014 in Event #11: No-Limit Hold'em Six Handed, earning $449,980.[10] Bonomo came in second in the previous event in which he played, Event #5: Limit 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball.[11] This was his third runner-up finish at the WSOP, after one in 2008 and 2011, after which he lamented on Twitter, “Always a bride’s maid, never a bride.”[12][13] At the 2018 WSOP, Bonomo won Event #16, the $10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em Championship with a prize of $185,965.[14] He followed this up by winning Event #78, the $1,000,000 One Drop for $10,000,000.[15] With this victory, Bonomo temporarily overtook Daniel Negreanu as number 1 on the all time live tournament money list,[16] until being surpassed by Bryn Kenney in August 2019, then surpassing Kenney again in July 2022. [17]

World Series of Poker

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World Series of Poker bracelets
Year Event Prize money
2014 $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Six Handed $449,980
2018 $10,000 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em Championship $185,965
2018 $1,000,000 No Limit Hold'em The Big One for One Drop $10,000,000

Super High Rollers

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Justin Bonomo is a regular face on the High Roller circuit. In May 2018, he won the $300,000 Super High Roller Bowl for $5,000,000.[18] He has won events such as the Triton High Roller Series, PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, Super High Roller Bowls in China and Las Vegas, and is a regular at the ARIA High Roller Events.[19]

Triton Poker Series

[edit]
Festival Tournament Prize
Jeju 2019 250K HKD Short Deck Ante-Only HKD 4,600,000
London 2019 £100K Short Deck Main Event £2,670,000

Poker GO Tour Titles

[edit]
Year Tournament Prize
2021 ARIA High Roller #31 - $10,000 NLH $171,000
2021 Bellagio High Roller #2 - $100,000 NLH $928,200
2021 Bellagio High Roller #5 - $10,000 NLH $128,000
2022 ARIA High Roller #16 - $10,000 NLH $124,200
2022 Bellagio High Roller #5 - $10,000 NLH $75,792
2022 Bellagio High Roller #11 - $25,000 NLH $229,500
2022 ARIA High Roller #35 – $10,000 NLH $119,600
2023 Poker Masters #9 - $25,000 NLH $333,000

Online poker

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Bonomo was caught entering major online poker tournaments using multiple accounts in 2006 on Partypoker. He was banned from two sites and tens of thousands of dollars were seized.[20][21][22]

Bonomo was a sponsored member of Team Bodog[23] until January 2010.[24]

Personal life

[edit]

Justin Bonomo lives in Las Vegas in the Panorama Towers, residence to more than 70 professional poker players. He is originally from Fairfax, Virginia.[25]

Bonomo practices polyamory.[26]

He donated $13,250 to the SENS project, a life extension research project.[27]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Justin Bonomo (born September 30, 1985) is an American poker player renowned for his dominance in high-stakes tournament poker, amassing over $65.6 million in live earnings and securing three (WSOP) bracelets. Born in , Bonomo developed an early interest in competitive gaming, beginning with Magic: The Gathering at age nine and achieving status by twelve through global competitions. At sixteen, he transitioned to , rapidly building his bankroll from an initial $500 investment to $10,000 on platforms like Paradise Poker. By nineteen, he made history as the youngest player to reach a televised , finishing fourth in the 2005 (EPT) Main Event for €31,500 ($40,815). Known online as "ZeeJustin," Bonomo initially excelled in high-volume online play before shifting focus to live tournaments around , where he has cashed 80 times at the WSOP alone, earning $18.1 million from those events. His first WSOP came in 2014 with a victory in Event #11: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em for $452,189, defeating Mike Sowers heads-up after years of close calls. In 2018, a breakout year, he claimed his second in Event #16: $10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em, going undefeated (7-0) for $185,965, and his third in the $1,000,000 , the richest tournament of his career, winning $10,000,000 and propelling him to the top of the all-time money list. That year, Bonomo won ten major events, including the for $5 million, briefly surpassing as poker’s biggest earner before reclaiming the spot in 2022. As of November 2025, Bonomo ranks fifth on All-Time Money List, having held the number-one position multiple times, and continues to compete in elite events like the 2024 WSOP $100,000 and the 2024 WSOP Paradise Super Main Event, where he finished seventh for $1.3 million. His most recent notable win was in 2023 at the Poker Masters $25,000 No-Limit Hold'em for $333,000, underscoring his sustained excellence in the high-stakes arena. Despite occasional controversies, such as the 2024 WSOP Paradise attire debate over wearing a keffiyeh, Bonomo remains one of the most respected figures in professional poker, blending strategic prowess with a low-profile personal life.

Early life

Upbringing and family

Justin Bonomo was born on September 30, 1985, in . His father, who worked in computer and technology fields, recognized parallels between these games and more competitive pursuits, providing early encouragement for Bonomo's intellectual development. Bonomo's mother was initially skeptical of his gaming interests, viewing professional gambling with concern, though she later became one of his strongest supporters after understanding the skill involved. The family environment was supportive yet restrictive, emphasizing and intellectual independence while discouraging reliance on chance-based activities as a career path. Bonomo has a brother who often travels to support him at events despite family commitments like his own recent parenthood. During high school in Fairfax, Bonomo excelled in strategy-oriented pursuits, demonstrating a natural aptitude for logic and problem-solving that extended beyond academics. His early engagement with games like Magic: The Gathering honed these skills, transitioning into a broader interest in competitive strategy by the time he graduated. Although he briefly attended the , his focus on analytical challenges shaped his formative years more than traditional coursework.

Introduction to gaming

Justin Bonomo began playing Magic: The Gathering (MTG) at the age of nine in 1994, quickly immersing himself in the that emphasized deck-building and tactical gameplay. By age 12, he was competing in tournaments with prize pools reaching up to $250,000, establishing himself as a promising junior player in the competitive scene. Bonomo's achievements in MTG included multiple tournament victories, such as regional titles and progression to higher levels like the Pro Tour, where he advanced as one of the top young talents. At age 14, he triumphed in the Junior Super Series and earned thousands of dollars in college scholarships through his successes, highlighting his rapid rise to prominence among junior players. These accomplishments underscored his early prowess in a game that demanded precise resource management and opponent anticipation. Through intensive MTG play, Bonomo cultivated essential skills in , probability assessment, and competitive discipline, which involved calculating odds for card draws and adapting to uncertain outcomes in matches. The game's blend of incomplete information and psychological elements also fostered an intuitive grasp of bluffing tactics, preparing him for more complex decision-making environments. Around age 16 in 2001, Bonomo transitioned from MTG to poker, drawn by the parallels in bluffing mechanics and odds evaluation that made the shift feel natural. He started his poker career with an initial $500 deposit on sites like Paradise Poker, recognizing how the analytical rigor from card tournaments could apply directly to and hand ranges. This move marked the end of his primary focus on MTG and the beginning of his poker pursuits. Bonomo's entry into poker started with low-stakes online experiments under the screen name 'ZeeJustin,' allowing him to test strategies without significant risk before committing fully to the game. These early sessions, played on digital platforms, helped him refine his approach in a low-pressure setting, building confidence through small-scale wins and losses.

Online poker career

Early success as ZeeJustin

At age 16 in 2001, Bonomo adopted the online screen name "ZeeJustin" and began playing poker on sites including PokerStars, funding his initial bankroll with earnings from competitive Magic: The Gathering play. The analytical mindset developed through Magic's strategic depth aided his quick adaptation to poker's probabilistic decision-making. Bonomo's breakthrough came in 2005 with his first major online victory, taking first place in a Full Tilt Series (FTOPS) event for $117,000. This win marked him as a rising talent in multi-table tournaments, showcasing his proficiency in No-Limit Hold'em. He steadily built his bankroll by grinding mid-stakes and tournaments, including 5/5/10 and 10/10/20 No-Limit Hold'em sessions alongside variants like Pot-Limit Omaha, before progressing to high-stakes tables by 2006. These efforts culminated in over $1 million in cumulative online winnings by 2007, solidifying his status among top online players. This period represented Bonomo's evolution from casual player to professional, as consistent profits enabled him to dedicate full-time to poker while nurturing ambitions in broader competitive formats.

2006 scandal and return

In February 2006, at the age of 20, Justin Bonomo admitted to using multiple accounts on under the pseudonym ZeeJustin, entering up to six accounts in the same tournament to gain an unfair edge through additional entries. This multi-accounting violation prompted immediate bans from and , resulting in the confiscation of over $200,000 from his balances and a temporary from poker as he faced severe reputational damage and personal depression. Bonomo publicly apologized shortly after, reflecting on the ethical breach in a detailed statement where he explained, "I quickly realized that the primary reason that it’s unethical is because I’m giving myself an extra shot to win a that I’m not entitled to." During his six-month hiatus from play, he pivoted to poker and analytical work, using the period to reassess his approach and rebuild trust within the community. PokerStars lifted Bonomo's lifetime ban in April 2009 following an internal review and endorsements from respected players, including , allowing his return to on regulated platforms with a commitment to strict compliance. He resumed play amid the evolving landscape of , particularly after the 2011 Black Friday indictments that prompted many U.S. players, including Bonomo, to relocate to for access to international sites like . Post-return, Bonomo excelled in high-stakes online and tournaments, securing substantial wins in 2012, such as heads-up matches against elite opponents like on platforms including before its closure. These successes highlighted his technical prowess and adaptability in no-limit hold'em sessions with buy-ins exceeding $100,000. Over the ensuing years, Bonomo's transparency about his past and consistent ethical conduct helped restore his standing, culminating in total tracked online tournament earnings surpassing $3 million by 2015, primarily from major series on and other sites. Bonomo continued to compete successfully in online high-stakes events into the 2020s. In 2020, he won the $10,200 Online on , defeating a field of 50 entries to earn $1,775,000 and claim his third title overall.

Live poker career

Early live tournaments

Bonomo made his live poker debut in 2005 at the age of 19, becoming the youngest player to reach a televised final table on the (EPT) at the inaugural EPT event, where he finished fourth in the €2,000 No Limit Hold'em tournament for $40,815. His first recorded cash came earlier that year at the (PCA) 2005, placing 30th in the $7,800 WPT Main Event for $15,600. These early appearances marked his initial foray into live tournaments, leveraging skills honed through online play. Between 2006 and 2007, Bonomo built momentum with several cashes in (WPT) events, including a seventh-place finish in the $15,000 buy-in North American Poker Challenge at the Bellagio Five Diamond World Poker Classic for $152,230. He also made his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) appearance in 2007, cashing three times and achieving a fourth-place finish in Event #30: $2,000 No Limit Hold'em for $156,040. These results helped establish his presence on major live circuits, transitioning from online success to building a live bankroll starting from low-stakes games and progressing to higher buy-ins. From 2008 to 2013, Bonomo continued to develop with notable deep runs, including a runner-up finish in the 2008 WSOP Event #4: $5,000 Mixed Hold'em for $230,159 behind . He amassed multiple cashes in WPT and EPT events during this period, exceeding $2 million in earnings from those tours alone, highlighted by an eighth-place finish in the 2008 WPT Winter Open for $135,243 and a first-place finish in the 2012 EPT €100,000 Super for €1,640,000 ($2,165,000). In 2009, he secured his first WSOP Circuit ring by winning the $5,150 No-Limit Hold'em Championship Event at for $227,692. Throughout this phase, Bonomo adapted his aggressive online style to live play by emphasizing physical tells and opponent reads, achieving high accuracy in interpreting behaviors like chip handling to inform decisions. This evolution, combined with flexible adjustments between loose-aggressive and tight approaches based on table dynamics, solidified his mid-career growth before deeper WSOP and high-roller successes.

World Series of Poker

Bonomo has established himself as one of the most successful players in (WSOP) history, with a record of consistent cashes and multiple deep runs in high-profile events. As of November 2025, he has amassed 77 cashes, 23 final tables, three WSOP bracelets, and one Circuit ring, generating total earnings of $18,088,530 from WSOP tournaments. His debut at the WSOP came in 2007. One of Bonomo's earliest notable performances occurred in 2008, when he reached his first WSOP final table and finished second in Event #4: $5,000 Mixed Hold'em (Limit/No-Limit), earning $230,159 after a heads-up battle with , who claimed the and $374,505. The following year, Bonomo secured his first WSOP Circuit title in the $5,150 No Limit Hold'em - Championship Event at , topping the field for $227,692 and a gold ring. These early achievements highlighted his versatility across mixed games and no-limit formats, setting the stage for his later dominance. Bonomo's bracelet-winning phase began in 2014 with victory in Event #11: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Six-Handed, where he outlasted 1,586 entrants to win $449,980 and his first WSOP bracelet. In 2018, he captured his second in the $10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em Championship (Event #16), navigating a 115-player to defeat Jason McConnon heads-up for $185,965. That same year, Bonomo achieved his career highlight at the WSOP by winning the $1,000,000 The Big One for One Drop (Event #78), a charity-driven extravaganza with 17 entries, securing a landmark $10,000,000 first prize—his third and briefly the largest single tournament cash in poker history. Bonomo has maintained strong results in subsequent WSOP series, particularly in high-roller buy-ins that suit his aggressive, high-stakes style. In 2024, he placed 10th in Event #47: $100,000 No-Limit Hold'em, banking $219,813 from a field of 112 entries. Later that year at WSOP Paradise, he finished seventh in the $25,000 + 1,000 No Limit Hold'em - WSOP Paradise Main Event ( Event #9), earning $1,300,000 and adding to his impressive tally of deep runs in marquee events. He continued to participate in the 2025 WSOP, including the Millionaire Maker event, though without capturing additional titles. These performances underscore Bonomo's enduring impact on the WSOP, where he ranks among the top earners and bracelet winners.

Super high roller events

Bonomo's ascent in super high roller events, defined as tournaments with buy-ins of $50,000 or more, marked a pivotal phase in his live career starting in , where he demonstrated exceptional skill in ultra-high-stakes, formats. These events, often featuring fields of fewer than 50 players and emphasizing aggressive play and deep stack strategy, suited his analytical approach honed from years of . By leveraging positional awareness and exploiting high-variance dynamics, Bonomo adapted seamlessly, turning these elite gatherings into a of his earnings, amassing over $30 million from such tournaments alone. His 2018 season represented a breakout, with victories in two Super High Roller Bowl (SHRB) events that solidified his status among the game's elite. In May, he triumphed in the $300,000 SHRB at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, defeating a field of 48 entries to claim $5 million after outlasting Daniel Negreanu heads-up. Later that year, in October, Bonomo won the HK$2,100,000 ($300,000) SHRB China in Macau, topping 39 entries for HK$37,830,000 ($4.82 million). Complementing these triumphs, he posted multiple cashes in the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series throughout 2018, including strong finishes in Cyprus and Montenegro events, contributing to over $10 million in Triton earnings that year and underscoring his consistency in Asia's premier high-stakes circuit. Prior to this peak, Bonomo secured a significant victory in the 2018 Aussie Millions $100,000 Challenge in , where he outplayed a star-studded field to win A$2,491,000 ($1.95 million USD). In 2019, he continued his high-roller prowess with a runner-up finish in the £250,000 Les Ambassadeurs Private Event at the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series , earning £3,420,000 ($4.13 million USD) behind winner . These results highlighted his proficiency in no-limit hold'em and short deck variants, formats prevalent in Triton lineups. By 2022, Bonomo added to his resume with multiple PokerGO Tour (PGT) high-roller victories, including a win in the $10,000 PGT Kickoff event for $190,400 and other final-table finishes that reinforced his adaptability to the U.S.-based series' fast-paced structure. Into 2024 and 2025, Bonomo maintained his presence in the super high-roller scene without capturing additional major titles but registering consistent cashes in Triton and PGT events. Notable results included a 22nd-place finish in the $100,000 Triton Million Main Event at WSOP Paradise in December 2024 for $196,500, alongside several deep runs in PGT that kept him ranked among the top all-time money earners. His sustained performance in these formats reflects a strategic , emphasizing exploitative play against top competition in fields where ICM and bluff equity are paramount.

Personal life

Relationships and residence

Bonomo has openly identified as practicing ethical , also known as , since at least 2015, emphasizing consensual relationships with multiple partners. He has described this lifestyle as "ethical, responsible, consensual, ," highlighting its role in his personal fulfillment without jealousy or exclusivity. This approach aligns with his broader philosophy of openness in relationships, publicly discussed in interviews to promote understanding of non-traditional dynamics. Originally from , Bonomo relocated to , , where he resided in the , a high-rise condominium popular among professional poker players. Around 2022, he moved his primary residence to Vancouver, British Columbia, , citing access to opportunities as a factor. As of 2025, Vancouver remains his base, though his frequent international travel for tournaments often disrupts a fixed routine. Bonomo maintains a high degree of regarding his personal relationships and family life, with no public mention of children or specific long-term partners. His travel-intensive poker schedule, involving events across , , and , influences his relational dynamics, occasionally allowing partners to join him at tournaments to sustain connections amid the nomadic lifestyle. Bonomo's Jewish heritage, inherited from his father, has shaped his cultural identity, including early exposure to and traditions alongside Christian influences from his mother. He has expressed pride in this background, noting its impact on his values of and justice in personal and public spheres.

Philanthropy and activism

Justin Bonomo has been a prominent supporter of within the poker community, serving as an for Raising for Effective Giving (REG) since 2017. REG, co-founded by poker players, directs donations to high-impact charities evaluated for their cost-effectiveness in reducing suffering. As an , Bonomo has donated portions of his poker winnings to REG-recommended causes, including selling stakes in tournaments at a 5% markup specifically earmarked for organizations. This approach allows him to leverage his professional success to fund interventions that prioritize evidence-based outcomes over traditional charity models. Through REG, Bonomo has contributed to causes addressing global poverty and , aligning with the organization's focus on maximizing impact per dollar donated. REG supports charities like the , which provides insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent in low-income regions, and animal welfare groups such as those improving farm animal standards during transport and slaughter. While specific donation amounts from Bonomo are not publicly itemized, his involvement has helped REG raise millions annually for these areas, with the organization distributing over $4 million in 2017 alone to effective charities, including those combating and factory farming cruelty. Bonomo has also engaged in social activism, speaking out against and toxic behavior in poker since at least 2015. In an that year, he emphasized the need to cultivate an inclusive environment by addressing microaggressions and gender biases that deter women from the game, stating that the poker community must actively combat such issues to foster diversity. More recently, as a Jewish , Bonomo has publicly supported Palestinian aid efforts, pledging portions of his tournament winnings to organizations assisting those affected by conflict and facing backlash for his pro-Palestine stance during the 2024 Paradise. Bonomo's philanthropy integrates with his poker career through visible endorsements and event participation. He has worn REG patches during major tournaments to promote the organization and has sold tournament action with built-in charitable markups, such as during the 2018 Big One for One Drop, where he won $10 million while contributing to water access initiatives via the event's proceeds. Additionally, he has donated from WSOP earnings to targeted causes, including recent commitments to Palestinian relief, demonstrating how his high-stakes play directly funds advocacy and humanitarian work.

References

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