Chris Moneymaker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chris Moneymaker |
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Moneymaker at the 2006 World Series of Poker
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| Residence | Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Born | November 21, 1975 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Bracelet(s) | 1 |
| Money finish(es) | 9 |
| Highest ITM Main Event finish |
Winner, 2003 |
| World Poker Tour | |
| Title(s) | None |
| Final table(s) | 1 |
| Money finish(es) | 2 |
| European Poker Tour | |
| Title(s) | None |
| Final table(s) | None |
| Money finish(es) | 3 |
Christopher Bryan Moneymaker (born November 21, 1975) is an American poker player. He became famous for winning the Main Event at the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP). His win changed the world of poker forever. He was the first person to become a world champion after getting into the tournament through an online poker game. This amazing event is often called the "Moneymaker effect" in the news.
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Early Life and Education
Chris Moneymaker was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He went to Farragut High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. Later, he earned a master's degree in accounting from the University of Tennessee. After finishing his studies, Moneymaker worked as an accountant. He also had a part-time job at a restaurant in Spring Hill, Tennessee.
Moneymaker shared that his family name, "Moneymaker," came from his ancestors. They used to make silver and gold coins. Their original German last name was "Nurmacher," which they changed to "Moneymaker."
Chris Moneymaker's Poker Journey
Winning the World Series of Poker
In 2003, Chris Moneymaker was working as an accountant. He won a spot in the Main Event of the World Series of Poker. He got in by playing an $86 online tournament called a "satellite tournament" on PokerStars. Before this, not many people knew who he was.
On the first day of the tournament, his poker skills caught the eye of a professional sports expert named Lou Diamond. Diamond even called Moneymaker his "dark horse" to win the whole thing. Chris Moneymaker went on to win the top prize of $2.5 million! This instantly made him a poker superstar.
The 2003 WSOP Main Event was his very first live poker tournament. He reached the final table by beating famous players like Phil Ivey. At the final table, Moneymaker knocked out several more players. These included Tomer Benvenisti and a past Main Event champion, Dan Harrington.
One of his most memorable moments was when he was playing against Sam Farha. Moneymaker made a big bluff with a King-high hand. Farha then folded a pair of nines, which changed how the game was going. Moneymaker eventually won the tournament. His beat Farha's . The cards on the table were . This gave Moneymaker a full house, which was a stronger hand.
After his big win, he left his accounting job. He became a spokesperson for the Series owner, Harrah's Entertainment, and for PokerStars. He also started his own company, Moneymaker Gaming. He began traveling to play in many more poker tournaments.
His book, Moneymaker: How an Amateur Poker Player Turned $40 into $2.5 Million at the World Series of Poker, came out in March 2005. The book talks about his amazing journey.
Other Poker Achievements
Chris Moneymaker has also done well in other poker tournaments:
- In 2004, he finished second at the Bay 101 Shooting Stars event. He won $200,000.
- In 2008, he placed sixth in a big online tournament called the World Championship of Online Poker. He earned over $139,000.
- In July 2009, Moneymaker won the Deep Stack Pot Limit Omaha event at the World Poker Open tournament. He took home $15,889.
- In 2011, he finished 11th in the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Main Event, winning $130,000.
- Also in 2011, Moneymaker came in second at the National Heads-Up Poker Championship. He won $300,000 in that event.
As of June 2025, Chris Moneymaker's total winnings from live poker tournaments are over $8.2 million. More than $3.1 million of that came from the World Series of Poker events.
In 2019, Chris Moneymaker was honored by being added to the Poker Hall of Fame. This is a special place for the most important people in poker history.
Personal Life
Chris Moneymaker has been married twice. He and his first wife divorced in 2004. He explained that he wanted to travel and play poker professionally, which was a different life than his first wife expected. They have a daughter together. He got married again in 2005. As of 2021, he and his family live near Memphis, Tennessee.
See also
In Spanish: Chris Moneymaker para niños
