Christopher Bryan Moneymaker (born 1976 in Tennessee) is an American professional poker player who won the main event at the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP).
| File:Chris moneymaker.jpg | |
| Nickname(s) | None |
|---|---|
| Hometown | Tennessee |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Bracelet(s) | 1 |
| Money finishes | 2 |
| Highest ITM main event finish | Winner (2003) |
| World Poker Tour | |
| Titles | None |
| Final tables | 1 |
| Money Finishes | 2 |
Moneymaker attended the University of Tennessee and earned a masters degree in accounting. He was working as an accountant in Tennessee when he won a seat into the main event of the 2003 WSOP by spending USD $39 to enter a satellite tournament at the PokerStars online poker card room. He went on to win the first prize of $2.5 million, instantly garnering poker superstar status. It was his first live poker tournament. His most memorable hand came 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 5♦ 4♠ outdrew Farha's J♥ T♦ on a board of J♠ 5♠ 4♣ A♠ 4♥, giving Moneymaker a full house. Farha did however win a rematch on Pokerstars a month later. Moneymaker has since played on the World Poker Tour, finishing second at the Shooting Stars event, earning $200,000.
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 began traveling to play in more larger buy-in tournaments.
Moneymaker can be heard Thursdays on Playboy Radio's Morning Show on Sirius Satellite Radio.
His autobiography, Moneymaker: How an Amateur Poker Player Turned $40 into $2.5 Million at the World Series of Poker was published in March 2005 (ISBN 006076001X).