Justin Bonomo is one of the better known names on the international live and online professional poker scene, having amassed a fortune of over $32 million in career earnings and showing no sign of retiring or even slowing down.
This week he cemented his reputation with a $5 million victory in the PokerGO – Poker Central $300,000 buy-in Super High Roller Bowl, defeating fellow ace Daniel Negreanu in the heads up. It was a remarkable achievement, considering his take-home of just under $5 million in March this year in the $250,000 buy-in Super High Roller Bowl Macau.
Bonomo, originally an online grinder who went on to make a major impact on the live tournament global circuit, bested a field of 48 players in his latest victory to claim the lion’s share of the $14.4 million prize pool.
Negreanu and Bonomo duelled for the chip lead throughout the competition, and at one point on the third day of play Bonomo almost busted out just before the final table formed, but staged a remarkable recovery to start final table action on a par with Negreanu and Mikita Badziakouski as the largest chip stacks.
After winning some impressive pots, and following the elimination of third-placed Jason Koon for $2.1 million, Bonomo had a 4 to 1 chip advantage when he faced Negreanu in the heads up.
Negreanu put up a good fight and closed the gap, but in the end he was unable to best an on-form Bonomo and had to be content with a second placing take-home of $3 million, leaving the honours and the $5 million top prize to a delighted and perhaps relieved Bonomo.
Other final table cashes included:
Mikita Badziakouski – $1.6 million
Christoph Vogelsang – $1.2 million (former champion)
Nick Petrangelo – $900,000