Chris Moneymaker
Christopher Bryan Moneymaker was born on November 21, 1975 in Atlanta, Georgia. Yes, Moneymaker is his real name. He is well known in the poker world from his miracle win in the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP) tournament.
How he got to the 2003 WSOP is just as big a story as the win itself. He put down $40 on a satellite tournament at the online poker site PokerStars and won. This victory gained him entry into the 2003 WSOP tournament, where he won his first title and $2,500,000. It is this rags-to-riches story that played a part in the boom in the popularity of Texas Hold'em Poker.
The 2003 WSOP was Chris Moneymaker's first live tournament. Chris made a number of memorable plays, among which was his heads-up against Sam Farha. On the river Moneymaker bluffed all-in with King high. (SEE VIDEO BELOW) Farha folded a pair of nines. In the final play of the No-Limit Texas Hold'em event, Moneymaker's full house, fives full of fours, defeated Farha's top pair.
Moneymaker attended Farragut High School in Farragut, Tennessee and later earned a master's degree in accounting from the University of Tennessee. He was working as an accountant in Tennessee when he won the seat into the main event of the 2003 WSOP.
A few poker experts may say that Moneymaker relies on luck, but he is steadily proving them wrong. He has played at the World Poker Tour (WPT) and came in second place with the $200,000 prize. His poker style has been described as aggressive.
Fun Facts:
- Began playing poker after watching the movie "Rounders," starring Matt Damon, Edward Norton and poker great Johnny Chan.
- He plays in PokerStars with the screen name of Money800.
- Friends call him by the nickname "Money," and shouts of "Go Money!" echo through the poker room when he is at the table.
- Lives in Nashville with his wife Christina and their baby girl Ashley.
- Chris Moneymaker has quit his accountant job to become a celebrity spokesman for Series owner Harrah's Entertainment, as well as PokerStars.