Chris Moneymaker
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| Chris Moneymaker | |
|---|---|
 Moneymaker at the EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo |
|
| Hometown | Tennessee |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Bracelet(s) | 1 |
| Money finishes | 4 |
| Highest ITM main event finish |
Winner, 2003 |
| World Poker Tour | |
| Titles | None |
| Final tables | 1 |
| Money finishes | 2 |
| European Poker Tour | |
| Titles | None |
| Final tables | None |
| Money finishes | 1 |
Christopher Bryan Moneymaker (born November 21, 1975 in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American poker player who won the main event at the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP).[1] His victory is generally credited for being one of the main catalysts for the poker boom in the years following his win.
Moneymaker attended Farragut High School in Farragut, Tennessee and later earned a master's degree in accounting from the University of Tennessee. He was a member of the fraternity Pi Kappa Phi during his college years.
Moneymaker was working as an accountant when he won a seat into the main event of the 2003 WSOP through a US$39 satellite tournament at the PokerStars online poker card room. Although largely unknown prior to the tournament, on day one of the tournament his skills caught the attention of professional sports handicapper Lou Diamond, who called Moneymaker his "dark horse to win the whole tournament."[2] Moneymaker went on to win the first prize of $2.5 million, instantly garnering poker superstar status. It was his first live poker tournament.
One of Moneymaker's most memorable hands was heads-up against Sam Farha, when on the river he bluffed "all in" with King high. Farha folded a pair of nines, quickly changing the momentum of the match. Moneymaker eventually won the WSOP when his 5♦ 4♠ beat Farha's J♥ 10♦ on a board of J♠ 5♠ 4♣ 8♦ 5♥, giving Moneymaker a full house.
Moneymaker has since played on the World Poker Tour, finishing second at the 2004 Shooting Stars event, earning $200,000.[3][4]
After winning the WSOP, he quit his job to serve as a celebrity spokesman for Series owner Harrah's Entertainment as well as PokerStars. He also began traveling to play in more large buy-in tournaments.
Moneymaker is married and has a daughter named Ashley, born 3 months before his WSOP win. His autobiography, Moneymaker: How an Amateur Poker Player Turned $40 into $2.5 Million at the World Series of Poker was published in March 2005 (ISBN 0-06-076001-X).
[edit] Last name
Moneymaker's last name is an aptronym. His last name is not a pseudonym and is in fact his real birth name. "Moneymaker" is actually a modification of a German last name which is approximately "Nurmacher".[5]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Hendon Mob tournament results: Chris Moneymaker
- ^ Moneymaker: How an Amateur Poker Player Turned $40 into $2.5 Million at the World Series of Poker, pg 99-101
- ^ Poker Babes: Bay 101 Shooting Star World Poker Tour Report
- ^ World Poker Tour: Bay 101 Shooting Star
- ^ Chris Moneymaker at the German tv show TV Total. (video-link on the bottom)
[edit] External links
- Official site
- Poker Babes profile
- Team PokerStars profile
- Guide to Poker profile
- Launch Poker interview
- Blonde Poker interview
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