Famous Poker Players: Chris Moneymaker
Chris Brian Moneymaker

Chris Brian Moneymaker (real name) made a name for himself at the poker table in 2003 when he transformed himself from unknown online player to winner of the prestigious World Series Of Poker main event.  What captured the imagination of the public was the notion that the average joe could play an online tournament and from that go on to win the most prestigious poker tournament in the world.  Not to mention the prize money. Chris Moneymaker began his journey to the World Series several years earlier of course.  It started when he saw the movie Rounders and like many other players the poker scenes he saw in that movie got him interested.  It wasn't long before he was playing in low stakes games with his friends. Living in Tennessee, the heart of Bible Belt, made playing in any kind of casino game rather unlikely the nearest venue being some four hours away so he looked towards the online game and found PokerStars.com.

Chris Moneymaker

His online poker career continued to be just a hobby but his life changed forever when a $40 buy in online yielded the best opportunity of his life.  He won a seat at the World Series Of Poker paid for by his favorite online poker site.  Using the skills he had learned through hours of online play he managed to fight his way to the final table knocking out many of poker's finest professionals along the way.  But his great play, good luck and great sportsmanship followed him all the way to heads up against poker pro Sammy Farha.  With commentators still predicting the fall of this poker novice against the experienced pro Chris Moneymaker continued to stick to his game plan and refused to be intimidated.

The tournament ended when the players moved all in.  Sammy Farha had top pair, Chris Moneymaker had two pair which ended up as a Full House by the river.

This now famous win has caused the poker world to explode as internet wannabe's try to replicate this incredible win.  Since his win in 2003 poker is on TV all the time and the 2004 World Series Of Poker had over 2500 entrants each putting up $10,000 to play.  This was more than three times the number of players who competed in the 2003 main event.

Chris Moneymaker has quit his job as an accountant to play more poker.  Although his showing at the 2004 World Series Of Poker was not that great he has finished in the money at some less prestigious poker events and certainly proved his win was not a fluke.

Chris Moneymaker has his own website with a number of useful tips for players.