Chris Moneymaker

Poker is one of the most popular gambling games and although it is fun, few people have actually managed to enter in the records of some of the greatest poker players of all times. Compared to the number of people who play poker, the number of those great players of all times is very low and for those who have managed to do so, there is usually a story behind their success. One of the greatest poker players of all times is none other that Chris Moneymaker.

His story spins like a tale of one who came from rags to riches pretty first. Coincidentally, Chris moneymaker and these are his real names, was initially an accountant from Tennessee who was never into poker much. He is said to have been living a lonely life, playing poker yes, but never really finding a nice game. It was while he was surfing over the internet that he began playing at Pokerstars online, where his game gradually improved and he decided to try qualifying for the World Series. He was lucky to win a seat and paid US$ 40 for that. Being broke and without money, Chris realized that he would have to struggle just to raise the money to go and play in Las Vegas. Desperate, he sold pieces of his action to his father and another friend. But as fate would have it, he managed to go and play in Las Vegas and guess what? The tournament ended with Chris moneymaker scooping the main trophy and a cool US$ 2.5 million, in cash. That was the turning point and since then, many people and fans alike have tried to follow suit and he inspires many around the world.

This win for Chris in 2003 was his first title in WSOP, better known as World Series of poker. In fact, Chris almost missed that great event in Las Vegas, but his determination reigned supreme. At a time when he did not have the money to travel to Las Vegas, let alone money to board a room in Vegas, Chris made a quick deal with his father and friend. However, some people believed that he was relying so much on luck to win, with some going as far as saying that had they the same cards which Chris held, they too would have won. But again Chris is proving many wrong on that assumption. He has played at the WPT, better known as the world poker tour, where he came second in the tournament and won US$ 200,000. He only came second to Phil Gordon, but some believe he would have won, had it not been for some bad beats

Perhaps one thing people and fans can learn from Chris Moneymaker is to believe in yourself and play to win regardless of who you are playing with. In that 2003 WSOP win, Chris was in a tough table with former world number one Dan Harrington and another feared cash player, Sammy Farha. However, despite the struggles and being his first shot at a major event, Chris was never intimidated or cowed. He played like a veteran, never relenting in his push for a win. He managed to bust out Harrington in third and then zeroed in on Farha, before shortly winning the game on a full boat.

As a matter of fact, Chris has helped take the game of poker to a new level and millions of people play up to 1000 hands a day, drawing their inspiration from this great man. This is not to say however that Chris no longer plays poker. In fact he does and goes by the name money800. He lives with his wife and daughter in Nashville. As you would expect, he quit his frustrating job as an accountant and is a celebrity spokesman for Harrah’s entertainment. He became a celebrity overnight, but has managed to maintain his humility and calm and is a loving father and husband. Chris has gone ahead and donated US$ 25,000 to a cancer research.

This explains perhaps why his style of play is not exactly aggressive, like other poker greats. His is a light game, but he is always alert and ready to narrow in on his opponents. Wherever Chris is playing, you will find friends and fans, all shouting and calling him by his nickname, “Money” and “Go money”. He always looks cool and composed, but determined. These deadly combinations scare his opponents who see him as a seasoned veteran. In an interview, Chris says that he was drawn into playing poker after watching a movie starring Matt Damon, Edward Norton and a poker legend Johnny Chan. The name of the movie is “Rounders” and actually changed his perception on poker.

Indeed, Chris Moneymaker is one player who has made a permanent mark in the world of poker and shall continue inspiring generations to come.

Posted by Joel on Jun 4 2010. Filed under Player Profiles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry