The Irish poker community has joined together in an effort to find Icelandic grinder Jon Jonsson who went missing during the recent Dublin Poker Festival.
Arriving in the Irish Republic’s capital on February 8, Jonsson was last seen on CCTV during the early hours of February 9. In town to play the D4 Dublin Poker Festival, the 41-year-old is known to have left the Bonnington Hotel without his phone or passport.
A review of his bank account has shown no signs of activity and his brother David Karl Vihelm believes he probably had his bankroll with him.
“He might have had cash with him but we are uncertain of how much. If he had cash, we are talking not that much. That was for the poker tournament. We are talking few thousand Euros,” Vihelm told the Irish Sun newspaper.
Irish Poker Community Comes Together
In response to appeals for information, Irish poker players have pledged to help find Jonsson. Posting details of the case on his Facebook page, tournament director Nick O’Hara said an organized search is scheduled for February 23.
Open to any poker players in the area, the search will start outside the Bonnington Hotel at 9:30am local time. Those interested in helping are directed to message O’Hara or comment on his Facebook page.
In addition to aiding the search, the Irish Poker Open, IPO and Irish Poker Series tournament director has set up a fundraiser. Aiming to raise €5,000/$5,660 so Jonsson’s family can join the search, O’Hara and his followers have already donated over €2,700/$3,056.
Family Hope It’s History Repeating
Despite the long odds, the Irish poker community isn’t willing to give up the search. Back in 2016, high stakes pro Matt Marafioti was reported missing after a stint at the World Series of Poker (WSOP).
Displaying signs of distress on social media just before his disappearance, the Canadian implied he was the center of an illuminati plot to off him.
After being missing for 45 days, Marafioti returned unharmed, claiming that he was enjoying his summer and not suffering any mental health issues.
Jonsson’s loved ones will be hoping the poker player makes a similar return. In the meantime, the Irish poker community will be doing everything it can to help return Jonsson back to his family.
