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Jonathan Depa is a powerhouse of the high-stakes poker world, widely regarded as one of the premier specialists in Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) and Short Deck Hold’em. Originally from Chicago, Depa has spent over a decade dismantling some of the toughest fields in the game. A high-roller regular and a Poker Masters champion, he is recognized for his technical fearlessness and his ability to compete at the “nosebleed” stakes against the world’s elite.
Career Earnings & Biggest Results
With total live tournament earnings surpassing $2,909,000 (according to The Hendon Mob), Depa is a heavyweight of the American circuit. His career-best live score of $715,457 was achieved with a spectacular victory in the 2019 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) €50,000 Short Deck High Roller, where he defeated a field of international titans.
Depa has remained a persistent threat through 2024 and 2025. His recent highlights include a 19th-place finish in the 2025 WSOP $10,000 PLO 8 or Better Championship for $28,936 and a 128th-place finish in the $10,000 PLO Championship for $20,000. He also secured a deep run in the 2024 WSOP $25,000 High Roller PLO for $50,211. His resume is anchored by a Poker Masters title in Short Deck and a massive 2nd-place finish in the 2018 Poker Masters $25,000 PLO for $222,000. His sustained success across the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and high-roller series contributes to an estimated poker net worth of over $4.5 million.
Biography & Poker Background
Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, Depa transitioned into the professional poker world with an analytical mindset perfectly suited for high-variance games. While many pros focus exclusively on No-Limit Hold’em, Depa carved out his niche in the complex mathematics of Pot-Limit Omaha and Short Deck (6+ Hold’em). He is a primary representative of the modern “high-roller” era, frequently seen competing in the PokerGO Studio and major international festivals in Rozvadov and Macau.
Beyond his tournament accolades, Depa is a feared high-stakes cash game player. Known for his stoic and professional demeanor, he treats poker with the rigor of a financial trader, maintaining a high volume of play against the toughest competition in the world. Now a veteran with nearly 15 years on the circuit, he remains a key figure in the PokerGO Tour (PGT), helping to define the strategic evolution of non-standard poker formats.
Play Style & Strategy
Depa is renowned for a “highly technical, aggressive, and math-driven” play style. His strategy is deeply rooted in Game Theory Optimal (GTO) foundations, which he applies with clinical precision in PLO and Short Deck—games where equity shifts are frequent and dramatic. He is a master of managing variance, a skill that allows him to remain composed while playing for six and seven-figure prizes.
His strategy revolves around:
- Multi-Format Specialization: An elite understanding of non-hold’em equities, as evidenced by his High Roller titles in both Short Deck and PLO.
- Aggressive Range Construction: Utilizing calculated pressure to put world-class opponents in difficult post-flop spots, particularly in high-leverage 6-max dynamics.
- Mental Fortitude: A proven ability to maintain peak performance in the grueling environment of “High Roller” series, where the field size is small but the technical proficiency is unparalleled.
Social Media & Online Presence
Follow the Chicago technical master as he continues to add to his legacy and chase his first gold bracelet:
