The primary-ever World Sequence of Poker Paradise Tremendous Most important Occasion has been an occasion to recollect with some of the entertaining high-stakes gamers having fun with a dominant chip lead, an achieved science communicator making a uncommon return to playing cards, and the person who ignited the Poker Growth falling simply in need of the ultimate desk.
But all of this was overshadowed on Wednesday’s Day 4 by a checkered black-and-white piece of conventional Center Jap garb that nearly led to poker’s second-winningest participant of all time being disqualified from the $50 million assured occasion.
Justin Bonomo, who sits second on The Hendon Mob all-time cash checklist, was requested by WSOP officers to take away his Palestinian keffiyeh voluntarily throughout Day 3. Bonomo, a vocal supporter of Palestine in its battle with Israel, refused. Because the occasion reached the ultimate two tables, they instructed him he can be disqualified if he didn’t take away it.
“It was a shock that they threatened to disqualify me from the match,” Bonomo instructed PokerNews throughout a break on Day 3. “I have never been inflicting any bother, I have never mentioned something to anybody … And clearly we’re enjoying for some huge cash, so I made a decision to cease carrying it.”
Later as we speak, the three-time bracelet winner will play on the streamed remaining desk as considered one of 9 gamers eyeing the $6 million prime prize, which might push him inside $3 million of all-time cash chief Bryn Kenney. Whereas the keffiyeh is gone, Bonomo has requested a Palestinian flag forward of his remaining desk look and mentioned he had the WSOP’s blessing.
Learn Extra Concerning the Close to Disqualification
“I’ve Simply Been Quiet & Carrying It”
Bonomo wore the keffiyeh all through the occasion with out situation. One other participant, poker writer Michael Acevedo, was even carrying an identical scarf when the 2 have been seated on the similar desk on Day 1b.
“I have never talked to anybody about it,” Bonomo mentioned in an interview with PokerNews. “I’ve simply been quiet and carrying it. It has been good luck.”
Pictures of Bonomo within the scarf went viral on X and four-time bracelet winner Mike Matusow notably known as for the poker professional to be jailed. Different high-profile critics of Bonomo embrace GGPoker ambassador Daniel Negreanu and six-time bracelet winner Michael Mizrachi. However in accordance with WSOP, the problem “was merely a matter of broadcast clearance.”
“The request for removing of Mr. Bonomo’s Keffiyeh as soon as he reached the TV manufacturing desk was merely a matter of broadcast clearance. Our future distribution platforms for Tremendous Most important Occasion don’t permit clothes deemed controversial or political in nature,” officers mentioned in a written assertion.
This is not the primary time political apparel has triggered threats of disqualification from poker tournaments. PokerStars banned shows of political statements in 2014 throughout European Poker Tour (EPT) occasions. Two gamers who teamed as much as win the Tag Crew occasion on the 2021 WSOP wore “Free Palestine” shirts throughout play, however the pictures have been excluded from the winner photographs.
PokerStars Bans Show of Political Statements at European Poker Tour Occasions
“Fallacious Facet of This”
The WSOP rulebook states “property hosts reserve the precise always to impose a ban on any attire deemed objectionable by Host Properties, in its sole and absolute discretion.” However Bonomo mentioned he believed officers have been inconsistent of their stance towards political statements and identified that earlier within the sequence the WSOP hosted a charity occasion that raised $140,000 for the widows and orphans of fallen Israeli troopers, which he had harshly criticized on social media.
“My tackle it’s that if the World Sequence desires to have a coverage towards politics all the time, I’d be high quality with that,” he mentioned. “However they just lately determined to carry a charity match for the Israeli protection forces … however I simply can’t put on a shawl.”
“In the event that they wish to have a coverage that is completely no politics, I am okay with that. However I believe it is the worst potential choice that they’ve taken the opposite facet and determined to endorse Israeli charities whereas banning Palestinian garments. That’s simply so utterly lopsided and unfair … So I believe the World Sequence is totally on the mistaken facet of this.”
Matt Berkey known as the disqualification menace “possibly probably the most insane over step by an operator in current reminiscence,” whereas different distinguished gamers who criticized the choice embrace commentator Jamie Kerstetter and playboy Dan Bilzerian, a vocal critic of Israel who has been known as antisemitic for his rhetoric. Others like Andy Bloch defended the WSOP’s freedom to limit sure speech at their occasions.
Comparable pro-Palestine controversies occurred at in the course of the 2014 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) cease and once more on the 2021 WSOP when Samy Dighlawi received the Tag Crew occasion carrying a “Free Palestine” shirt.
Even earlier than the disqualification menace, Bonomo had promised to donate a portion of his Tremendous Most important Occasion winnings to a charity that helps Palestine. He’s assured at the least $750,000 with $6 million up prime for the eventual champion.
Connor Richards
Editor & Reside Reporter U.S.
