Jonathan Duhamel

A robbery victim

In December 2011, Duhamel was the victim of a brutal robbery. Robbers attacked him at his home, stealing his WSOP Main Event bracelet, an expensive Rolex watch and about $150,000 in cash. Police later apprehended the perpetrators and some of the stolen goods were recovered, but the event left a mark on the player’s life, reminding him of the risks of publicity.

Charity

Duhamel has always remained a devoted fan of the Montreal Canadiens hockey club. After his victory at the World Series of Poker, he donated $100,000 to the team’s Children’s Foundation. This donation was the largest private contribution to the foundation.

Dispute with tax authorities

Although Canada generally does not tax gambling income, in some cases large winnings may be recognized as business income. In 2010, 2011 and 2012, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) required Duhamel to pay taxes on his poker tournament winnings, deeming his professional poker activities to be the equivalent of a business. However, Duhamel objected, arguing that his winnings were not part of a business activity. The dispute, which lasted several years, ended in June 2022 with a court ruling in Duhamel’s favor, ruling that his poker winnings should not be treated as taxable business income.

Success at EPTs and other major tournaments

In January 2011, Duhamel won the High Roller Event at the European Poker Tour (EPT) in Deauville, France, earning €200,000 (about $272,209). Later that year, he competed again at the WSOP and cashed twice, adding another $40,000 to his earnings.

Cooperation with PokerStars

From 2011 to 2015, Duhamel was an official representative of the PokerStars pro team, which solidified his status as one of the top poker players and allowed him to compete in major tournaments under the company’s auspices.

Performances at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure

At the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in January 2012, Duhamel reached four straight final tables. He finished fourth in the Super High Roller Event for $313600, and then went on to excel in other tournaments, including a fifth-place finish in the Turbo Event and two other major tournaments in which he finished first and second for $239830 and $634550, respectively.

New WSOP wins

In 2015, Duhamel proved his prowess again at the WSOP. In June, he defeated Bill Klein in the $111111 High Roller for One Drop final, winning the longest poker session $3989985 and earning his second WSOP bracelet. Later that year, at the World Series of Poker Europe, he added a third bracelet to his collection, winning the $25600 No Limit Hold’em High Roller for $628815.

Financial achievements

Duhamel’s total net winnings in live tournaments by March 2021 totaled more than $18 million, with nearly half of that amount coming from his first-place prize in the 2010 WSOP Main Event. This achievement placed him in the top 50 of the world rankings in terms of earnings and in the top 5 of the Canadian player list in terms of total winnings.

Moving up to the amateur level

As of 2024, Duhamel has ended his professional poker career, although he still occasionally enters tournaments as an amateur.

Live Poker Achievements

Here’s a short list of a player’s major accomplishments in live poker:

• Winning the 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. Duhamel became the first Canadian to win this prestigious event, claiming the $8944310 prize;
• Winning the 2015 WSOP High Roller for One Drop. Took first place and earned $3989985;
• Winning the 2015 WSOP Europe High Roller: In the €25600 event, Duhamel took first place for €554395 (about $610084);
• Successes at the 2012 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA). Within one week, he reached four final tables including: 1st place in the Side Event for $239,830; 2nd place in the High Roller for $634550; 4th place in the Super High Roller for $313600.

Online Poker Achievements

Jonathan Duhamel is primarily known for his achievements in live tournaments. There is no detailed information in public sources about Duhamel’s significant wins in online tournaments. More details can be found in his profile on thehendonmob.