Ace-High Hero Call Propels Justin Bonomo to First Poker Masters Title

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Editor & Live Reporter U.S.
2 min read
Justin Bonomo

As the 2023 Poker Masters inside PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas nears its end, one of poker's most accomplished players, Justin Bonomo, earned $333,000 and his first Poker Masters title by taking down Event #9 $25,000 No Limit Hold'em.

Bonomo, who sits second on the all-time money list with $62.4 million in live tournament earnings, entered the final table of the penultimate Poker Masters event with nearly half of the chips in play against opponents including Chino Rheem (6th - $46,250) and a trio of recent Poker Masters champions in Orpen Kisacikoglu (5th - $74,000), Andrew Lichtenberger (4th - $101,750) and Stephen Chidwick (3rd - $148,000).

Bonomo held onto the chip lead into heads-up play with Daniel Rezeai and ultimately defeated the Austrian, who earned $222,000.

Justin Bonomo
Justin Bonomo

Meet The Poker Masters Leaderboard Frontrunner!

Poker Masters Event #9 $25,000 NLH Final Table Results

 PLACEPLAYERCOUNTRYPRIZE (IN USD)
 1Justin BonomoUnited States$333,000
 2Daniel RezeaiUnited States$222,000
 3Stephen ChidwickUnited Kingdom$148,000
 4Andrew LichtenbergerUnited States$101,750
 5Orpen KisacikogluTurkey$74,000
 6Chino RheemUnited States$46,250

Bonomo Gets It Done With Ace-High

Bonomo's final table performance demonstrated why he is one of the most winning poker players of all time, especially an epic hero call he made for his tournament life with just ace-high during heads-up play.

With blinds of 30,000/60,000/60,000, action kicked off with Rezaei completing with jack-eight and calling a raise from Bonomo with ace-eight.

Rezaei floated as Bonomo led out with a bet on the nine-seven-four flop and took a stab when Bonomo checked on the seven turn. Bonomo called with his ace-high and checked again as the five river improved neither player before Rezaei moved all in with Bonomo covered.

"I really think you're bluffing me here," Bonomo told his opponent. "I call."

Bonomo saw his ace-high was good and re-took the chip lead before eventually eliminating Rezaei to earn his first Poker Masters title.

Tamasauskas Still Atop Leaderboard

With one Poker Masters final table left to play, Lithuania's Vladas Tamasauskas still sits atop the leaderboard after winning two events at the start of the series. Behind him are Rheem and Chidwick tied in second with 386 points and Lichtenberger close behind with 327 points.

Vladas Tamasauskas
Vladas Tamasauskas

Other players on the leaderboard include Ren Lin (5th - 325 points), Darren Elias (6th - 319 points) and Bonomo (7th - 314 points).

Listen to Vladas Tamasauskas On The PokerNews Podcast!

2023 Poker Masters Leaderboard Top 10 (Through 9 Events)

 PLACEPLAYERWINSCASHESWINNINGSPOINTS
 1stVladas Tamasauskas23$506,400506
 T-2ndChino Rheem14$434,650386
 T-2ndStephen Chidwick13$605,000386
 4thAndrew Lichtenberger14$367,450327
 5thRen Lin04$342,800325
 6thDarren Elias13$359,500319
 7thJustin Bonomo12$447,000314
 8thChris Brewer04$365,500268
 9thDaniel Rezaei03$355,500266
 10thOrpen Kisacikoglu12$292,500263

*Images courtesy of PokerGO / Antonio Abrego

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Editor & Live Reporter U.S.

Connor Richards is an Editor & Live Reporter for PokerNews and host of the Life Outside Poker podcast. Connor has been nominated for two Global Poker Awards for his writing.

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