Chris Moneymaker, the proverbial face that launched thousands of internet poker players, is the American who won the 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event, taking home $2.5 million. “Money800,” as he’s known online, qualified through PokerStars by playing a $39 satellite tournament and then subsequently outlasted 838 players to not only do the unthinkable – beat a field of experienced pros and veterans – but also to facilitate the unpredictable, popularizing poker to heights the game had never seen. Dubbed the “Moneymaker Effect,” Chris’ WSOP victory spiked a huge interest in poker as people behind computer screens all over the world realized that if an “everyman” like Chris Moneymaker could win a bracelet, then maybe they could to.
Following his unexpected WSOP win, Chris Moneymaker quit his job to work as a spokesperson for both Harrah’s Entertainment and PokerStars. With more spare time, “Money800” also now plays poker full-time online, and travels the world playing both European Poker Tour and World Poker Tour events. He has a 2nd place finish in the 2004 WPT Shooting Stars event for $200K and two PokerStars World Championship of Online Poker final tables for a combined $175K. In 2005, Chris also published an autobiography entitled, Moneymaker: How an Amateur Poker Player Turned $40 into $2.5 Million at the World Series of Poker.
Despite winning the World Series of Poker Main Event, Moneymaker has often been called lucky and even undeserving of his victory. However, in one of the most crucial hands of the whole tournament, Chris bluffed long time pro Sam Farha in a huge hand. On a 9s-2h-6s-8s-3h board, Chris held Ks-7h, which amounted to nothing but busted straight and flush draws. Sammy held Qs-9h for a missed flush draw, but also top pair, albeit on a scary board. When Farha checked, Moneymaker did the unthinkable and moved all-in, putting the veteran player to a decision for all his chips. After thiking for a long time and even saying, “I could make a crazy call on you. It could be the best hand,” Sammy folded and Chris dragged all-important pot.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Chris Moneymaker now resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife and daughter.
Click here for Chris Moneymaker’s interview with Poker News Daily.