Go Against PokerStars, Get Banned from EPTs?
7 years ago12 May
Play the game by our rules or don’t play at all’ seems to be the new mantra from PokerStars and the European Poker Tour (EPT), with Justin ‘ZeeJustin’ Bonomo being told he must either pose for promotional photos when he wins or be banned from their live events.
The high-stakes pro was one of those disgusted by the poker site’s VIP changes late last year, changes which cost him some $50,000 in bonuses. And last week matters came to a very public head when Bonomo tweeted his plans not to pose for promotional photos should he win.
His Twitter account exploded when he posted during the Monte Carlo EPT Grand Final, stating:
1/2 Playing the EPT MC 100k Super High Roller. I will be refusing all media requests from Pokerstars and the EPT. Pokernews, GPL etc. are ok
— Justin Bonomo (@JustinBonomo) April 28, 2016
He added shortly afterwards:
2/2: At this point in time, I see no reason to do unpaid promotional work from a company that has defrauded many thousands of players
— Justin Bonomo (@JustinBonomo) April 28, 2016
Although he didn’t win the Super High Roller, he did take down a €2k buy-in side event, scooping €110,000 – and the troubles really began.
Under the impression he wouldn’t get paid by the EPT – sponsored by PokerStars - if he didn’t pose for a winner’s pic, Bonomo made a sign which read:
This sign I made is why they're not making me take a winner's photo: pic.twitter.com/v81Fw37kCq
— Justin Bonomo (@JustinBonomo) May 4, 2016
Naturally, the sponsors and organisers refused to publish such a pic – and explained to Bonomo that although he would still be paid his winnings, he would be banned from all PSLive events if he didn’t comply with their media requests and rules.
Before his side-event win Bonomo found himself on the feature table of the Main Event, alongside other huge names of the game such as Vanessa Selbst, Fabrice Soulier and Patrik Antonius, finding time to tweet:
5 minute discussion at the live stream table about VIP defrauding, rake increases, and insider trading. Sadly I'm sure it will be muted.
— Justin Bonomo (@JustinBonomo) May 2, 2016
On the final table chop in the €2K he posted:
Part of the deal is that I get the trophy and the win, which I really wanted so I can say fuck you to Amaya and refuse to do a winner photo
— Justin Bonomo (@JustinBonomo) May 4, 2016
After discussions with PS and EPT representatives, Bonomo tweeted:
Update on winner's photo situation: They say they would never not-pay, but I am banned from all PS Live events if I don't take the photo 😞
— Justin Bonomo (@JustinBonomo) May 5, 2016
Bonomo has a long history with PokerStars, dating back to him being banned from the site in 2006 for multi-accounting, an ‘illegal’ method of play which appears to have been accepted by some as part and parcel of the online game back in the day. Invited back into the fold in 2009, Bonomo went on to again become one of the leading players online under his pseudonym ‘ZeeJustin’.
A year prior to his ‘lifetime’ ban being lifted, in an ESPN interview Bonomo expressed his sorrow at his own actions: " I would give anything to go back in time three years ago and smack myself around. I'd tell myself how stupid I was. Those actions were a mistake and it was such a stupid thing I did. Since then, I've tried to portray myself as the nice, honest person that I am and I hope that people can see that's who I am."
This most recent row could have long-term consequences for the leading players, many of whom have found PokerStars VIP changes and other recent decisions to be expressly against the interests of professional players online.
Now that this has crept into live play, it could see a major ethical decision to be made between the feeling that PokerStars have overstepped the mark completely and the need to continue playing in the biggest events – thus accepting whatever PS and the EPT say goes.
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