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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:
Originally from the Lake District, UK, I’ve spent the last few years living and breathing the Southeast Asian poker circuit. Since 2025, I’ve been a fixture on the floor at the APT, PokerStars, and WSOP events, serving as a lead reporter and media specialist for Somuchpoker. My work is about more than just recording action; I manage the social media and digital content that brings action rail to the fans. By combining a business education and creative background, I aim to look past the technical hand histories to capture the actual human grit and drama that happens during a deep run.
