Chris Moneymaker - 2003 World Series of Poker ChampionChris Moneymaker is credited as the godfather of the poker revolution for his 2003 World Series of Poker championship. The one-time Tennessee accountant turned the poker world upside down. After winning a PokerStars World Series of Poker satellite tournament, he went on to win the 2003 World Series of Poker main event. It was, in large part, the beginning of the Internet poker revolution. Now, Chris Moneymaker can't go anywhere without being asked for autographs.
The World Series of Poker Satellite StoryChris earned his World Series of Poker entry after winning a $39 PokerStars WSOP satellite. Moneymaker had to win this tournament to advance to a larger satellite tournament where the winner would take home the coveted WSOP ticket. Chris bested a field of about 60 players to win a $10,000 buy-in package to the World Series of Poker Texas Hold'em Main Event. Chris Moneymaker had just turned $39 into $10,000 playing poker online.
The 2003 World Series of Poker Tournament Chris Moneymaker had never played in a live poker tournament at a casino. The World Series of Poker would be his first. Chris began with thoughts of salvaging his pride and surviving the first day. But his chip stack began to grow and his strategy and hopes started to change. Chris now wanted to make the money.
One defining hand of the tournament was a play that Chris made against Russ "Dutch" Boyd. Moneymaker was holding pocket threes against Dutch's KQ. The flop was a 925 and Chris came out betting. Dutch Boyd either thought Chris was bluffing or decided to try a bluff of his own and went all-in. After a long pause, Chris made the call and was happy to see Boyd's two high cards and no made hand. Chris' huge call won him a crucial pot and allowed him to make the final table.
Before long, Moneymaker was at the 2003 World Series of Poker final table and got heads-up with Sammy Farha in a tough compeition for the 2003 World Series of Poker bracelet.
The final hand of the 2003 WSOP pitted Moneymaker's 4-5 offsuit against Farha's J-T offsuit. Chris got a flop that was absolutely perfect for a heads-up match -- 45J. He flopped two pair to Farha's flopped top pair. Chris check-raised Farha, who moved all-in. Fourth street was an eight, no help to Farha. The river card was a four, giving Moneymaker an unnecessary full house, the win, and the distinction of being the 2003 World Series of Poker champion.
Sammy Farha got $1.3 million for his second place finish, but Chris Moneymaker got $2.5 million, the WSOP bracelet, and the fame and glory that came with a World Series of Poker win.
Chris Moneymaker - Life After the WSOP Moneymaker was an accountant at the time of his win. He now travels the world as a spokesman for various poker related products and plays tournaments when he can. The one thing Chris will never be able to do is use what he did to help him achieve his victory in 2003... being an unknown.
Chris has since proved he is no one-hit wonder. He's traveled on the tournament circuit, hitting some of the biggest poker tournaments in the world, including World Poker Finals at Foxwoods, the WPT Invitationals, the PokerStars Caribbean Poker Adventure , the Bay 101 Shooting Stars tournament, and the European Poker Tour Grand Final in Monte Carlo.
For more on Moneymaker's life, visit www.chrismoneymaker.com. Chris plays on PokerStars as Money800.
