We were sad to hear the news of John Bonetti passing this week. My husband and I met Bonetti a few years ago at a regular Houston poker game.  It was a mixed game (in Houston we just call it… a round of each) pot limit omaha and pot limit holdem.  The game guaranteed action and lots of yelling but it wasn’t always Bonetti causing the commotion.  Usually the yelling was from two guys fighting over outs and insurance* odds.  I didn’t play the game often but it sure as hell felt like it when I played at the next table.  Every time their game stopped for a shouting match… our game would stop too.  Then everyone would walk over to see the hand and someone would say "No, he has 12 outs twice." Then they had recounts, more shouting and sometimes fist mediation.  It was probably this very game that made Bonetti look like an innocent grandpa.

Don’t get me wrong, Bonetti had his moments… after all, that’s what made him… John Bonetti. But he had a really sweet side too that not many in the poker world were lucky enough to see. We will always regret not taking him up on his offer to teach us everything he knew about poker. Unfortunately, we never found the time but he will always be a fond memory. He will be missed. 

*Insuring poker hands is common in Houston.  While it does slow down the game and creates a lot of drama, it teaches players to count outs quickly.