Chris Moneymaker
| Chris Moneymaker | |
|---|---|
Moneymaker at the 2006 World Series of Poker
|
|
| Residence | Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Born |
November 21, 1975 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Bracelet(s) | 1 |
| Money finish(es) | 4 |
| Highest ITM Main Event finish |
Winner, 2003 |
| World Poker Tour | |
| Title(s) | None |
| Final table(s) | 1 |
| Money finish(es) | 2 |
| European Poker Tour | |
| Title(s) | None |
| Final table(s) | None |
| Money finish(es) | 2 |
Christopher Bryan Moneymaker (born November 21, 1975, in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American poker player who won the Main Event at the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP). His 2003 win is said to have "revolutionized poker" because he was the "first person to become a world champion by qualifying" at an online poker site. This has been referred to in the press as the "Moneymaker Effect."
Moneymaker's ancestors made silver and gold coins and chose the name "Moneymaker" as a modification of their German last name: "Nurmacher."
Moneymaker attended Farragut High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, and later earned a master's degree in accounting from the University of Tennessee. After receiving his master's degree, Moneymaker worked as a comptroller. He was also a part-time employee at a local restaurant.
Moneymaker was working as an accountant when he won a seat into the Main Event of the 2003 World Series of Poker through a US$86 satellite tournament at the PokerStars online poker card room. Although largely unknown prior to the tournament, on day one of the tournament his skills caught the attention of professional sports handicapper Lou Diamond, who called Moneymaker his "dark horse to win the whole tournament." Moneymaker went on to win the first prize of $2.5 million, instantly garnering poker superstar status. The 2003 WSOP Main Event was his first live poker tournament. One of Moneymaker's most memorable hands was heads-up against Sam Farha, when on the river he bluffed "all in" with King high. Farha folded a pair of nines, quickly changing the momentum of the match. Moneymaker eventually won the WSOP when his beat Farha's on a board of , giving Moneymaker a full house ( ) to Farha's two pairs ( ). After winning the WSOP, he quit his job to serve as a celebrity spokesman for Series owner Harrah's Entertainment as well as PokerStars. He also started his own company, Moneymaker Gaming, and began traveling to play in more numerous and larger buy-in tournaments.
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