Jonathan Jaffe 🇺🇸
Jeff was born in Longmead, Massachusetts in 1987. He was introduced to poker during the "money tree" poker craze in high school. At 16...
Contestant Introduction
Jeff was born in Longmead, Massachusetts in 1987. He was introduced to poker during the "money tree" poker craze in high school. At 16, he used his earnings as a summer camp counselor to make his first online deposit and convinced his parents to let him drop out of Westfield State University, where he turned professional after just one semester. He quickly rose to fame under the legendary online name "Iftarii," becoming one of the world's most feared heads-up players. Jeff is also known for one of the most infamous pranks in poker history: in 2013, he fooled several mainstream media outlets by claiming to be a professional dolphin trainer to test how far a "humanitarian" topic could go. Today, he is the head coach at PokerCoaching.com and remains one of the most respected strategy experts in the poker world.
Gameplay Overview
Jeff is known for his "pure and highly analytical" playing style, which favors extreme aggression, especially at smaller tables and heads-up matches. While he possesses a deep understanding of Game Theory Optimization (GTO) mechanics, his strategies are largely rooted in his ability to identify and exploit specific strategic frameworks of his opponents. He is a master of situational awareness and "metagame" adjustments, frequently employing strategies designed to maximize the chances of other top pros making mistakes. This adaptable style has allowed him to maintain a high win rate across decades of ever-changing game dynamics, making him a regular at the WSOP and Triton Poker Series final tables. His ability to clearly articulate complex concepts also makes him one of the most sought-after coaches for players transitioning into high-stakes games.
Bonuses and Career Highlights
According to Hendon Mob, Jaffe's total live tournament winnings exceed $20,814,000, placing him among the top 70 on the all-time money list. His career-best live tournament winnings are $2,860,000, earned from a fourth-place finish at the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Paradise $250,000 Triton Invitational. A dominant force in the Triton Poker Series, he has won numerous titles, including a $30,000 8-max tournament in Jeju Island for $1,061,672. Jaffe is also a WPT champion, having won the 2023 WPT Alpha8 for One Drop charity event for $1,537,600. His continued success in high-stakes tournaments and his contributions to poker coaching have led to an estimated poker net worth exceeding $15 million. Image credit: Hayley Hochstetler