Chris Moneymaker is a name that resonates within the world of poker, and not just because of his apt last name. He is celebrated for achieving the improbable: winning the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event as an inexperienced player who qualified through a satellite tournament. Moneymaker’s victory not only changed his life but also reshaped the perception of poker, proving that with a blend of luck and dedication, anyone could rise to the top of the WSOP.
Early Life
Chris Moneymaker was born on November 21, 1975, in Atlanta, Georgia. Although born in Atlanta, he spent most of his childhood in Knoxville, Tennessee, as the middle child between an older brother and a younger sister. His parents worked in different fields; his father was employed by a travel agency, while his mother’s family owned a liquor store.
One memorable childhood experience involved a family vacation on a cruise ship, where young Moneymaker and his siblings tried to sneak into the ship’s casino. Their attempt to try their luck at a slot machine went unrewarded, but it sparked an early fascination with gambling.
Moneymaker also spent time helping out at his family’s liquor store, where he learned about customer service and enjoyed the occasional beer with his grandfather. His interest in card games began early, playing bridge with his grandmother and blackjack with his father.
An Average Life
After graduating near the top of his class from Farragut High School, Moneymaker earned a scholarship to the University of Tennessee. He dedicated six years to his studies and graduated with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in accounting.
Following college, Moneymaker worked as an accountant for a small chain of Nashville restaurants. During this time, he married his long-term girlfriend, Kelly, and the couple moved to the suburbs. They soon welcomed their daughter, Ashley, into their lives. Moneymaker led what could be considered an ordinary life, except for one significant problem: he was struggling with credit card debt.
The 2003 World Series of Poker
In a remarkable turn of events, Chris Moneymaker’s path to poker stardom began with a $39 buy-in satellite tournament at PokerStars. The top three finishers would secure seats at the prestigious WSOP Main Event, while fourth place would earn $8,000. Initially, Moneymaker attempted to intentionally lose to secure the cash prize but was persuaded by a friend to aim for the top prize.
The 2003 WSOP Main Event commenced on May 19th, with Moneymaker competing against 838 seasoned poker players despite having never played in a live tournament before. Despite initial nervousness, Moneymaker displayed remarkable composure and finished the day with 60,000 chips, ranking 11th overall. This early success boosted his confidence for the upcoming days.
As the tournament progressed, Moneymaker’s performance attracted media attention. He reached an ESPN-featured table, seated next to one of his poker inspirations, Johnny Chan. Despite taking longer than usual to make decisions, Moneymaker held his own and ended the day with 357,000 chips, ranking 6th.
The fourth day saw only 45 players remaining, and Moneymaker continued to impress. He ultimately reached the final table, where he faced Sam Farha heads-up. After an intense 28-hand showdown, Moneymaker’s well-executed bluff caused Farha to fold, securing the victory. Chris Moneymaker was crowned the 2003 WSOP Main Event champion, winning $2.5 million and a coveted gold bracelet.
A New Career in Poker
Chris Moneymaker’s unexpected victory led him to quit his accounting job and pursue poker professionally. He signed on as a spokesperson for PokerStars, becoming a key figure in the poker industry. His success story sparked a surge of interest in online poker, known as the “Moneymaker effect.”
Moneymaker embarked on a worldwide poker journey, participating in various tournaments, including the WSOP, World Poker Tour, and European Poker Tour. Throughout his career, he earned approximately $3.7 million in live tournaments.
Personal Life
Following his WSOP win, Moneymaker divorced his first wife, Kelly, due to her lack of support for his poker career. He later married Christina Wren, with whom he currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee, and has three children.
Moneymaker is involved in charitable activities but prefers to keep his donations private. His favorite charities include the Humane Society and Autism Speaks, the latter being especially close to his heart due to his daughter’s connection to autism.
He authored his autobiography, titled “Moneymaker: How an Amateur Poker Player Turned $40 into $2.5 Million at the World Series of Poker,” which offers insights into his life before and after his WSOP victory.
Chris Moneymaker continues to compete professionally, exemplifying that with determination and a touch of luck, anyone can achieve success in poker. However, he acknowledges the challenges and sacrifices that come with a poker career, emphasizing that it’s not always as glamorous as it may seem.