POKER PLAYER PROFILES - John Bonetti

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Poker Player Profiles

John Bonetti

John Bonetti hasn't made any headlines in the past few years but was a major force in the poker world from the mid 80's to mid 90's. He made the money in a staggering two-thirds of the WSOP main events he's entered since 1985; finished third twice (1994 and 1996) and eighth in 1990; Like many great players, he has a very aggressive style and has four WSOP bracelets. It's possible we may not see much of him in the future but if we do then he could be a force again. This is what Daniel Negraneu said about him a few years ago: "I'm convinced, when John is healthy, he is the deadliest tournament player alive today, no question." He has had to manage his health problems while trying to remain at the top of his game - he was diagnosed with prostate and spinal cancer in 1992 but they have been in remission

Amazingly he didn't get his start in poker until age 55 after he moved from New York to Houston when the owner of the company where he worked as a salesman invited him to a game. Althouh he lost at first, in 1985 he played in his first tournament and won $28,000 proving that he had good insticts. Because of job troubles, he started playing poker professionally.

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COMMENTS:

johnboy
April 21, 2008
i'm new to the site. live in houston. surprised that some people didn't know who john bonetti is. grumpy, but still a good poker player. hates dealers is right! i've dealt to him and he is rather unfriendly to say the least.

ulyss
May 25, 2007
Hey Bono,
Hope you are well.
It was very nice meeting and playing with you
at a 1K satalite a couple of days before the 2005 WSOP at Rio. The big boys Roasted you well that year didn't they? :) It was a well deserved honor. I was the old guy from WF, TX. You were good enough to chop. Unfortunately I wasn't able to turn it into a ticket to the main event. I've gotten better since then, and am ready to take you on at the seniors WSOP event June 25. Hope to see you soon.

bad_dog76
Johnny "Bag O' Donuts" September 7, 2006
Yo Johnny, I took care of dat thang for ya down in Miami.

Unregistered
John Bonetti May 31, 2006
I played with him a few weeks ago in N.O.

?????
May 31, 2006
owns TJ

Unregistered
John Bonneti March 30, 2006
John is an old school poker player. I think he has a couple of WSOP braclets.

Unregistered
John da man March 29, 2006
I met John the other day. Nice guy. You go John!

nick frank
March 27, 2006
i know jon bonetti very well he has so good to me i play with him every day he teach me how to play live games he teach me how to play trny very well i won a lot of trny becuzz of him if it wasit for jon i dont think that wood win at all. god bless jon bonetti he is the best man i know and he is the best poker player alive ther is know one like him

JoeMeyerIII.
September 13, 2005
the club was off norfolk and kirby like i said this was 20 years ago im 30 now and live in dallas oh well hope to hear from you soon good luck .

JoeMeyerIII.
September 13, 2005
hell John my name is joey my dad's name is joe meyer you used to come to he's club in houston. the redman's club. this was 20 years. anyway if you do remember please reply@joker_joey@comcast.net my e-mail. thanks and it good to see you doing better.

Unregistered
August 30, 2005
He's the greatest poker player I've ever watched...He is also one of the greatest people I know

Unregistered
August 24, 2005
This guy is not a legend, He knows nothing about poker. He has made a living by getting lucky and sucking out many cards on the river.

ealvar
July 18, 2005
He finished third this year in this event: Event #13: No-Limit Hold'em Championship Location: Rio, Las Vegas Buy-in: $5,000 Number of Entries: 466 Total Prize Money: $2,190,200

legend
July 9, 2005
you guys ought to show some respect, this guy is a legend, and one of the best poker players ever to play the game

Dirk Diggler
May 19, 2005
This guy was the runner- up in the 1999 U.S. Poker Championships at the Taj. You morons.

loser
May 2, 2005
He is a younger cat, just started playing. Look out for him in the future though. A future star.

jennings
April 15, 2005
I beat this guy in a tournment in lake charles yesterday

iveyfan05
March 7, 2005
pathetic has been. why is his profile even on this site?

Suited Ace
February 21, 2005
If you guys don't know who John Bonetti is or havent seen him play I feel sorry for you. Watching this guy play is something else...absolute MONSTER player.

jordan/hurt/nyjets690
January 30, 2005
in the TOC, hellmuth was saying that he played agaisnt him in the world series he won...i'm not sure which year this was, maybe '89, and he told phil 'never to send a boy to do a man's job'...this was brought up because texas dolly told doyle the same thing...

mjay12
January 21, 2005
don't be surprised if you see him back on top at the world series this year, i hear he's back and playing as strong as ever

insomniak
January 10, 2005
jon bonetti is one of the most intimidating poker players around. I dont know if hes still playing, he must be around 80 by now, but that guy could get into the head of even top pros. Just watch the 1999 USPC. this guy is amazing when hes playing at his best.

Unregistered
December 29, 2004
I don't believe that's true. I don't know him personally, but he's a relative of mine, and I figure I'd have heard that, since we're a family of poker players.

Shkerdhati
October 27, 2004
i heard this guy got killed by a drunk maniac

pocket7s
September 29, 2004
or was it 94 oh well i dont know

pocket7s
September 29, 2004
oh yeah! i saw him in the 1993 wsop

Unregistered
September 19, 2004
yeah i do,he's called john bonetti.

pocket7s
John Bonetti September 18, 2004
does anybody even no whos this weird lookin dude is