'Worst Possible Decision': Justin Bonomo Speaks After Palestine Scarf Controversy
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The first-ever World Series of Poker Paradise Super Main Event has been an event to remember with one of the most entertaining high-stakes players enjoying a dominant chip lead, an accomplished science communicator making a rare return to cards, and the man who ignited the Poker Boom falling just short of the final table.
Yet all of this was overshadowed on Wednesday's Day 4 by a checkered black-and-white piece of traditional Middle Eastern garb that almost led to poker's second-winningest player of all time being disqualified from the $50 million guaranteed event.
Justin Bonomo, who sits second on The Hendon Mob all-time money list, was asked by WSOP officials to remove his Palestinian keffiyeh voluntarily during Day 4. Bonomo, a vocal supporter of Palestine in its conflict with Israel, refused. As the event reached the final two tables, they told him he would be disqualified if he did not remove it.
"It was a surprise that they threatened to disqualify me from the tournament," Bonomo told PokerNews during a break. "I haven't been causing any trouble, I haven't said anything to anyone ... And obviously we're playing for a lot of money, so I decided to stop wearing it."
Later today, the three-time bracelet winner will play at the streamed final table as one of nine players eyeing the $6 million top prize, which would push him within $3 million of all-time money leader Bryn Kenney. While the keffiyeh is gone, Bonomo has requested a Palestinian flag ahead of his final table appearance and said he had the WSOP's blessing.
Read More About the Near Disqualification
"I've Just Been Quiet & Wearing It"
Bonomo wore the keffiyeh throughout the event without issue. Another player, poker author Michael Acevedo, was even wearing a similar scarf when the two were seated at the same table on Day 1b.
"I haven't talked to anyone about it," Bonomo said in an interview with PokerNews. "I've just been quiet and wearing it. It's been good luck."
Photos of Bonomo in the scarf went viral on X and four-time bracelet winner Mike Matusow notably called for the poker pro to be jailed. Other high-profile critics of Bonomo include GGPoker ambassador Daniel Negreanu and six-time bracelet winner Michael Mizrachi. But according to WSOP, the issue "was simply a matter of broadcast clearance."
"Our future distribution platforms for Super Main Event do not allow garments deemed controversial or political in nature," officials said in a written statement.
This isn't the first time political attire has caused threats of disqualification from poker tournaments. PokerStars banned displays of political statements in 2014 during European Poker Tour (EPT) events. Years later, Samy Dighlawi won the 2021 WSOP Tag Team in a "Free Palestine" shirt, but the images were excluded from the winner photos.
PokerStars Bans Display of Political Statements at European Poker Tour Events
"Wrong Side of This"
The WSOP rulebook states "property hosts reserve the right at all times to impose a ban on any apparel deemed objectionable by Host Properties, in its sole and absolute discretion." But Bonomo said he believed officials were inconsistent in their stance against political statements and pointed out that earlier in the series the WSOP hosted a charity event that raised $140,000 for the widows and orphans of fallen Israeli soldiers, which he had harshly criticized on social media.
"My take on it is that if the World Series wants to have a policy against politics always, I would be fine with that," he said. "But they recently decided to hold a charity tournament for the Israeli defense forces ... but I just can't wear a scarf."
"If they want to have a policy that's absolutely no politics, I'm okay with that. But I think it's the worst possible decision that they've taken the other side and decided to endorse Israeli charities while banning Palestinian clothes. That is just so completely lopsided and unfair ... So I think the World Series is absolutely on the wrong side of this."
Matt Berkey called the disqualification threat "maybe the most insane over step by an operator in recent memory," while other prominent players who criticized the decision include commentator Jamie Kerstetter and playboy Dan Bilzerian, a vocal critic of Israel who has been called antisemitic for his rhetoric. Others like Andy Bloch defended the WSOP's freedom to restrict certain speech at their events.
Even before the disqualification threat, Bonomo had promised to donate a portion of his Super Main Event winnings to a charity that supports Palestine. He is guaranteed at least $750,000 with $6 million up top for the eventual champion.
In this Series
- 1 $50m GTD Super Main Event Headlines the Return of WSOP Paradise
- 2 WSOP Paradise Schedule in December Includes $50M GTD Super Main Event
- 3 WSOP Issues Major Rule Change to Electronic Device Use Ahead of Paradise Series
- 4 Who Are Negreanu’s and Ivey’s Triton Million Partners at WSOP Paradise?
- 5 How Did That Happen? Player Busts First Hand of WSOP Paradise $500K Buy-In Triton Million
- 6 Deeb Playing His Biggest Buy-In Ever: “Hopefully It Goes Well and I Don't Lose Too Much”
- 7 Daniel Negreanu Poker Vlogs Return for WSOP Paradise; Captures First Bustout
- 8 "Perfect Match for Me": Jason Koon Sports PokerStars Patch at First Event Since Becoming Ambassador
- 9 WSOP Paradise: Guess What Longtime Poker Pro Just Flopped a Royal Flush for First Time
- 10 Triton Million Hands of the Week: Ivey Loses $1,000,000; Brutal Bubble Bustout for Ryan Feldman
- 11 Health > Wealth: Texas Mike Questions Stamina After “4-Bet Jam Nuclear Punt” in $100K
- 12 Daniel Negreanu Finishes 1st in WSOP Paradise Flight While Lying in Bed
- 13 Jamie Gold at WSOP Paradise: “Excited About the Future of Poker, About My Future in Poker”
- 14 Wait, What? … Hellmuth Starts Hand with 26 BB But Calls Off Preflop Holding Queen-Deuce
- 15 “I Had No Fun Today at Any Point” Negreanu Says After Busting WSOP Paradise Super Main Event
- 16 Mark Your Calendar: 2025 WSOP to Run in Las Vegas from May 27-July 16
- 17 Justin Bonomo Faces DQ from $25,000 Super Main Over Palestinian Attire; WSOP Issues Statement
- 18 Did NBA Great Tony Parker Make a Bad Fold w/ Kings in $25k WSOP Event?
- 19 'Worst Possible Decision': Justin Bonomo Speaks After Palestine Scarf Controversy
- 20 BREAKING: Phil Hellmuth at WSOP Final Table in Search of 18th Bracelet
