ZeeJustin on Show 153
The once-controversial (but always talented) poker player Justin "ZeeJustin" Bonomo will be on Ante Up! for Episode 153. The 22-year-old pro just signed with Team Bodog and we'll be sure to ask him all about it. But what would you like to know? You may think he's all about NLHE, but he was the youngest player left standing in the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event at the 2007 World Series of Poker so he'll fit right in with the Ante Up! Nation. Please post your questions here, and time permitting we will do our best to ask them.
-- Chris
Photo courtesy of Bodog
Christopher Cosenza is co-host of the longest running poker podcast on the planet, Ante Up! He started playing poker seriously in 2003 and his favorite players are Phil Ivey and Kenna James, though he tends to act like Phil Hellmuth if you make a bad play against him.
Scott Long, Ante Up!'s other co-host, is the author of the monthly Bet on It column in tbt*. He began gambling way too young (don't tell the fuzz!) and in the seventh grade, named his state "Gambleland" for a school project (State Animal? Loan shark, of course).
Ask him if he thinks using PT is unethical. If he doesn't, does he think buying hand histories is unethical.
Posted by: NickG | May 09, 2008 at 11:56 AM
NickG,
Asking a multi-accounter about ethics is a waste of time. It's guys like ZeeJustin that really hurt online poker, not PT.
Posted by: mn156 | May 09, 2008 at 12:13 PM
I understand that he kind of deserves it but I think it is time to forgive ZJ.
I don't think the net effect of ZJ has been negative for online poker.
He was caught, which helps show cheating is at least sometimes effectively investigated.
He has clearly stated that what he did was wrong and why.
He has come out and criticized other cheaters and unethical practices.
Also, ZJ has become very knowledgeable and active when it comes to poker ethics. He's thought about it a lot so I think he's a PERFECT person to ask about poker ethics.
Posted by: Rant2112 | May 09, 2008 at 01:33 PM
Where is Zerbet with his, "Drama Llama approves of this post"?
Posted by: gadzooks64 | May 09, 2008 at 03:08 PM
With bodog signing him up... doesnt surprise me... they signed up Jamie Gold. lol
as being excited about him being on the Ante-up show. Not really excited.. Will just be listening to it becuase of the host.
Sorry guys... Just doesnt excite me someone that was caught cheating unless he has done soemthing to make up for it.
Posted by: Gary | May 09, 2008 at 03:11 PM
mn, I had originally said it in jest, but to be honest I agree with Rant. It's like talking to an ex-convict about crime and how best to fix it. Silver tongued politicians have no idea how to clean up the streets, but crooks and robbers do.
Posted by: NickG | May 09, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Q1: Will he be able to convince ANYONE at Bodog to make their software better?
I know I will think of more.
Posted by: Jason | May 09, 2008 at 03:16 PM
here is a question.
what has he done since this multi-account scandal to try to improve his poker image?
Posted by: Gary | May 09, 2008 at 03:21 PM
Wow Chris, after all the posts on "A Little Error in Judgment", where the ante up nation was pretty unforgiving (with a few exceptions), this is a surprising guest choice.
But after reading Rant and Nick's posting, I am reminded of the Leonardo DiCaprio movie, "Catch Me If You Can". At the end, the villain had changed his ways and was making his living assisting those that he had defrauded. So, I will happily listen prior to being all judgmental.
I will go on record (for what that is worth) in saying that it was a mistake for BODOG to select him as a representative. In this day and age of on-line cheating scandals, I would think that they would want to avoid even the hint of impropriety.
Posted by: aces88ss | May 09, 2008 at 04:06 PM
I think the timing is perfect to have Justin on. And I think people can be forgiven. I mean, look at Kobe Bryant. I'm sure Justin didn't have to by Calvin Ayre a big diamond either.
Posted by: Chris Cosenza | May 09, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Kudos to you on landing another interesting and talented poker personality for your show. The comments here are fair, Justin made a big mistake that further exposed some of the risks and limitations of online poker. In doing so, he elevated the attention in all of us as to what we might be facing in an online card room. Justin (and still is) very young, and deserves a second chance. Hopefully this experience has hastened his growth and maturity as a young professional in the field of poker.
I would love to hear about his process for learning the game and improving so incredibly in such a short period of time. What tools did he use to improve his game, or did he just learn through repetition (10s of thousands of hands) online?
Posted by: ChicagoJason | May 09, 2008 at 05:19 PM
Yes he multi-accounted a couple years ago but getting Bonomo on your podcast it AWESOME!!! He is far and away one the of best and brightest young poker minds out there. Can't wait to hear the show!
Posted by: ornycjv | May 09, 2008 at 08:07 PM
I have a couple simple questions for Justin what are some of his favorite bands he likes to listen to wile playing?
2nd what is your best mixed game?
ps Scott and Chris ship that banana.
Posted by: Newtskins | May 10, 2008 at 02:30 AM
Seeing how I drafted Justin in the 2008 WSOP Fantasy Contest on the Ante Up Forums (he was the 7th pick in the 4th round by the way), could you ask Justin how many events he is planning on playing?
I'm counting on him to score lots of points for me.
Posted by: PointLedge | May 11, 2008 at 03:56 AM
Ask him how long it took him to get to where he is now and whether or not he had any coaches along the way, or something of this nature.
Posted by: 2cunning4yew | May 12, 2008 at 04:33 PM