Darvin Moon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Darvin Moon |
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Moon at the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event
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| Nickname(s) | Darvin Gump The Luddite Logger The Moonman |
| Born | October 1, 1963 Oakland, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | September 19, 2020 (aged 56) Oakland, Maryland, U.S. |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Bracelet(s) | None |
| Money finish(es) | 1 |
| Highest ITM Main Event finish |
2nd, 2009 |
| World Poker Tour | |
| Title(s) | None |
| Final table(s) | None |
| Money finish(es) | None |
Darvin Moon (October 1, 1963 – September 19, 2020) was an American logger and amateur poker player. He became famous for finishing second in the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. This was a huge poker tournament with a US$10,000 entry fee. It was Darvin's very first time playing in the World Series of Poker. He taught himself how to play the game. Before his big poker success, Moon ran a small logging business in Western Maryland. He earned his spot in the 2009 World Series by winning a smaller tournament called a "$130 satellite tournament".
Moon quickly took the lead in the tournament. He entered the final round with the most chips, holding about 30 percent of all the chips. Even though he briefly lost his lead, he got it back by knocking out experienced players like Steve Begleiter and Phil Ivey. In the end, Moon lost in the final match against Joe Cada. However, he still won a huge US$5.18 million for his second-place finish.
Some people didn't like his playing style because he was new to big tournaments. But many others admired his down-to-earth personality. Moon also played in the 2010 National Heads-Up Poker Championship. He lost in the second round to poker pro Annie Duke. He also competed in the 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event but was eliminated early.
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Early Life and Poker Beginnings
Darvin Moon lived in Oakland, Maryland, a town in western Maryland. He lived in a mobile home with his wife, Wendy. Moon owned and ran a small logging company with his family. He spent most of his days working in the pine forests of Western Maryland.
Moon learned to play poker by himself. He started playing with his grandfather when he was young. Around 2006, he began playing more often. He studied the game by watching poker on TV. Moon often played friendly games at local places like fire departments and community halls.
The 2009 World Series of Poker Journey
Darvin Moon earned his spot in the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event by winning a $130 satellite tournament. This smaller tournament took place at the Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack in Wheeling, West Virginia. He tried twice and lost, but won on his third attempt. This win gave him a $10,000 entry into the main event and $6,000 for travel.
This was Moon's first time playing in the WSOP. It was also his first visit to Las Vegas and his first time flying on a commercial plane. Because the logging business was slow, Moon thought about keeping the $10,000 instead of playing. But he decided to play after seeing the World Series games at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino.
On the first day of the tournament, Moon got very lucky with his cards. He continued to do well throughout the event. He even knocked out several professional poker players, including David Benyamine. Moon took the lead in chips and held it for many days. He entered the final table with the most chips, holding about 30 percent of all the chips in play.
During the final table, Moon eliminated Steve Begleiter and the famous pro Phil Ivey. In both cases, Moon was behind but got lucky cards to win. Moon briefly lost the chip lead during the "November Nine" game. But by eliminating Begleiter, he got back into the lead. He made it to the final two players and faced Joe Cada. Moon had 58.85 million chips, and Cada had 135.95 million.
Moon briefly regained the lead from Cada. But he lost it again in a crucial hand. Commentators later said Moon made a risky move in that hand. After 18 hours of play, Moon finished second against Cada. He won $5,182,601 for his amazing performance.
After the tournament, famous poker player Phil Hellmuth congratulated Moon. Some people criticized Moon's playing style, saying he was "out of his league." But Moon said he planned to use some of his winnings to help relatives go to college. He also wanted to donate to his hometown, possibly for a new youth ball field. Moon famously said, "We ain't gonna change. The next time you see us, we'll be wearing jeans and everything else, like we always have."
After the WSOP
After the 2009 World Series of Poker, Darvin Moon played few major poker games. He preferred to play local games with friends in his hometown. When asked how he did in those games, Moon said, "I've done all right. I've held my own."
In 2010, Moon joined 63 other players in the National Heads-Up Poker Championship in Las Vegas. He paid the $20,000 entry fee himself. Moon won his first match against William Huntress. However, he lost in the second round to Annie Duke, who later won the tournament.
In August 2010, Moon helped host a large poker tournament in Ledyard, Connecticut. The event had over 2,200 players and a prize pool of more than $1 million. The next month, Moon entered the 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event again. He was eliminated on the second day of the tournament. As he left, he told his wife, "At least the pressure's off, honey."
In 2011, Moon became an ambassador for the Heartland Poker Tour (HPT). He wore their patch and played in several HPT events. The HPT President, Todd Anderson, said Moon was "our kind of guy." Moon became a favorite among HPT players and staff. He even skipped an invitation to the "November Nine" taping in 2010 to play an HPT event. Moon said, "I'm very comfortable with the HPT folks. They're like family."
Darvin Moon passed away on September 19, 2020, at the age of 56. His death followed complications from surgery.
Personality and Playing Style
Darvin Moon showed a humble and modest personality during the World Series of Poker. He admitted he didn't have much poker experience. He often said his success was due to luck and getting good cards, rather than his skill. Moon had a simple phrase he used: "If I win, I win. If I lose, I lose." This showed his relaxed approach to the game.
Another one of Moon's ideas was, "Make the other guy pay to see the cards." This meant he would often make big bets to force other players to put more money into the pot if they wanted to continue. Moon had almost no experience in "heads-up" poker, which is when only two players are left. Some experts believed this lack of experience contributed to his loss against Joe Cada in the final match.
Many fans and commentators loved his "working stiff" style. Some even called him "Darvin Gump," a nickname inspired by the underdog character in the movie Forrest Gump. Moon was also known as the "Luddite Logger" because he didn't like technology. He avoided credit cards and online poker. Moon even turned down a sponsorship deal from an internet poker company during the 2009 tournament. He said he didn't want to have to answer to anyone.
Moon wore a New Orleans Saints hat throughout the tournament. He said he liked "cheering for the underdog." He was later invited as a guest to Saints games during their playoff run in 2010. He even watched them win Super Bowl XLIV.
