John Bonetti Passes Away

Well known poker professional John Bonetti passed away at age 80 early this morning at his home in Houston, Texas. His death was not unexpected as he was told a couple months ago that he had 2-3 month to live.

John Bonetti was well known at the World Series of Poker where he had won three career bracelets, had made 19 final tables (including 3 Main Event final tables), had 32 career WSOP cashes and $1,743,993 in career WSOP winnings. It was at the 2008 WSOP today that the unfortunate news of Bonetti’s death was announced; tournament director Nolan Dalla delayed the day’s start and addressed the players asking for a moment of silence.

While Bonetti is truly a of poker legend unfortunately he was not well liked by players who knew him only at the tables, where he was infamous for dealer abuse, brash table antics and an otherwise miserable persona. Those who knew him outside poker will describe him differently. In a CardPlayer.com article released today his good friend Phil Hellmuth mention Bonetti as having a Heart of Gold, and regarding his actions at the table Hellmuth says “He wanted to win more than you did, period”.

A lot of people like to say nice things after a person passes away, this can be expected as it’s a matter of respect for the deceased and a time to put the past transgression and differences aside, when it comes to John Bonetti though he is a man that had the respect and friendship of many of the world’s most elite poker pros and there are quite a few of the games greats, as well as his family and friends, left to mourn his death, and many of the nice words soon to be spoken in remembrance of him will be entirely sincere.

Poker-Prop offers our sincere heart felt condolences to John Bonetti’s friends and family and to the man himself may he finally get some rest.