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Jon Turner is an American professional poker player who has been one of the most successful players in the game for over two decades. Originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and now living in Las Vegas, Turner is a true legend of the “Moneymaker” era. While he is a world-class live competitor with millions in winnings, he is perhaps best known by his iconic online screen name “PearlJammer.” As one of the original online wizards and a co-author of several strategy books, Turner has helped shape the way a generation of players approaches tournament poker.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
According to The Hendon Mob, Jon Turner has won nearly $4.5 million in live tournament earnings. His biggest live score to date came in 2016 at the Card Player Poker Tour (CPPT) Venetian Main Event in Las Vegas. He outlasted the field to win the trophy and a career-best $536,858. This victory cemented his status as the all-time leading money winner on the CPPT.
Turner is also a prolific winner at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) , where he has come incredibly close to winning a bracelet on several occasions. Some of his most notable runs include a 3rd place finish in a $1,000 No Limit Hold’em event for $274,005 and a runner-up finish at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) for $178,240. Even as the game has changed, Turner has stayed on top, recently winning a WSOP Circuit Ring in early 2026 in a Limit T.O.R.S.E. event for $15,769. In the online world, his stats are even more staggering, with over $8 million in career winnings across major sites.
Biography & Poker Background
Born in 1982, Jon Turner discovered poker while studying computer science at North Carolina State University. Like many players of his time, he started with small $20 home games before building a bankroll in local card rooms and making trips to Atlantic City. In 2005, he took a leap of faith and moved to Las Vegas with a $20,000 bankroll to turn pro. He quickly became one of the highest-ranked online players in the world, earning the “Internet Player of the Year” title twice. Despite the challenges of Black Friday in 2011, Turner successfully transitioned his focus toward live mixed games and high-stakes tournaments, maintaining a career that has now spanned over 20 years.
Play Style & Strategy
Turner is widely considered a technical master of the game. His approach is built on a deep understanding of tournament fundamentals, which he shared with the world in his book series, Winning Poker Tournaments One Hand at a Time. While he is a formidable No Limit Hold’em player, he is also a highly skilled mixed-game specialist. He excels in games like Omaha 8-or-Better, Stud, and Razz, often finding his biggest edges in these complex formats. At the table, Turner is known for his professional and focused attitude, rarely letting the highs and lows of the game affect his play. He is a “player’s player” who values the respect of his peers as much as the trophies he wins.
Social Media & Online Presence
Want to follow Jon “PearlJammer” Turner as he hunts for his first WSOP bracelet in 2026? You can track his latest tournament cashes and updates here:
