Justin Bonomo AKA ZeeJustin

1) Do you have any poker goals for 2006?

Justin Bonomo: I try not to make specific goals like, "I'm going to make $xxx in 2006." Instead, I want to improve as much as possible while still increasing my bankroll.

2) What would you be doing if you were not a professional poker player?

Justin Bonomo: If it wasn't for poker, I would probably still be in school today, although I would almost certainly end up as an entrepreneur of some sort eventually. The 9-5 lifestyle has just never appealed to me.

3) Who would you least like to see at a major final table with you?

Justin Bonomo: I'd hate to see Phil Ivey at the same tournament table as me. In my opinion, he's the best player in the world, and there's no way I would have an edge against him.

4) What is something about you that would surprise most people?

Justin Bonomo: Most people don't know that other than poker, music is my passion. I've been to over a hundred concerts. My favorite bands are Muse and Our Lady Peace. I'm mostly into alternative rock, but I like basically all forms of rock.

5) What is the most that you have won or lost in one session?

Justin Bonomo: The most I have ever won in a session was the $137,000 I got for winning a 3400 player $200 tournament on PokerStars.com. The most I have ever lost is probably between $15,000 and $20,000 in high stakes cash games.

6) What do you see as the major differences between online and live play?

Justin Bonomo: The biggest difference between online and live play is that when you play live you have a lot more information at your hands. You know a lot more about your opponents, and can make more accurate decisions appropriately. It's a lot easier to spot the rich fish, and the grinding pros when you are playing live. The other big difference is volume. Online you can play eight tables at a time, but live you are confined to just 35 hands an hour.

7) Who is your favorite opponent for heads up play?

Justin Bonomo: Heads up can be a great tool for learning how to read opponents, and also for mixing up your game. I often play friends heads up for these reasons. I'd have to say I've learned the most from playing BigSlick789 aka Ozzy87 heads up.

8) What is your favorite thing to do outside of poker?

Justin Bonomo: Outside of poker, music is my passion (see above), but I also like to do normal kid stuff. I go out a lot to movies, restaurants, and just hang out with my friends a lot.

9) Do you have any rituals or superstitions that you carry out before you play?

Justin Bonomo: I am not superstitious at all. I try to remain 100% rational at all times. I know it's boring, but I don't lose any money calling with T2o before the flop because I think it's lucky. I think it's ridiculous how many people go out of their way wearing dirty clothes and refusing to eat certain foods because they think doing otherwise would be unlucky.

10) Do you have a poker mentor, or who are some of the players that you look up to?

Justin Bonomo: One of the reasons I've had a lot of success in poker is because I've talked to many other pros, and I've learned a lot from all of them, using them both as good examples and bad ones. I'd have to say that Ozzy 87 has taught me more than anyone else, but there are way too many players to list here that I have learned from, and I hope I've taught them all something in return.

Read more about Justin Bonomo aka ZeeJustin:

http://www.zeejustin.com

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