Chris Moneymaker
| 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 |
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).
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).