Nationality
Chris Moneymaker is American, born and holding United States citizenship status.
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Born (date and place of birth)
Chris Moneymaker was born on November 21, 1975, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Residence (current location)
Chris Moneymaker currently resides in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, where he maintains his living arrangements.
Education (institution, specialization)
Chris Moneymaker has a master's degree in accounting from the University of Tennessee, showcasing a strong educational background in finance and business.
Children (number, ages)
He has three children, although specific details such as their ages are not publicly detailed.
Year started playing poker
Chris Moneymaker began playing poker seriously and professionally around 2003, the year he won the WSOP Main Event.
Age when started playing
He began his serious poker involvement around the age of 27, coinciding with his 2003 WSOP debut and online satellite qualification.
Year turned professional
Chris transitioned officially to professional poker status in 2003 after winning the World Series of Poker Main Event.
First major win (amount, tournament, year)
His first significant tournament victory was the 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event, where he won $2.5 million as a first-time live player, gaining instant fame.
Who introduced to poker / first mentor
There is no widely verified information about a formal poker mentor; he was introduced to poker through online play and self-study, with early recognition by pros like Lou Diamond during the 2003 WSOP.
First important tournament
His first major live tournament was the 2003 WSOP Main Event, which he famously won after qualifying through an $86 online satellite.
Main motivation for turning pro
Motivated by the success in the 2003 WSOP, Moneymaker transitioned to poker professionally to capitalize on opportunities, inspired by the potential profitability and enjoyment of the game.
Initial bankroll
His initial bankroll for professional poker was the $86 satellite win on PokerStars that earned him entry into the 2003 WSOP Main Event; outside financial backing is not documented.
Poker education (courses, coaches)
Chris Moneymaker largely learned poker through self-taught methods and online experience rather than formal coaching or courses, reflecting the common path of many online qualifiers.
First sponsor/backing
His first sponsorship deal was with PokerStars following his 2003 WSOP victory, where he served as a celebrity spokesman and team pro for 17 years.
Total live tournament winnings
Chris Moneymaker's total live tournament winnings exceed $8.4 million across his career, including major high roller cashes.
Number of tournament wins
He has recorded approximately 16 tournament victories in live events across various tours and buy-in levels.
Number of final tables
Chris has appeared at about 24 or more final tables in his tournament career, showcasing consistent high finishes.
Largest tournament win (amount, tournament, year)
His largest single tournament victory was the 2003 WSOP Main Event, winning $2.5 million.
WSOP bracelets (number)
Chris Moneymaker has won one WSOP bracelet, for the 2003 Main Event title.
WSOP cashes (number)
He has cashed approximately 40-50 times at WSOP events throughout his career, including multiple Main Event cashes.
WSOP final tables
He has reached the WSOP final table once, which was the 2003 Main Event final table.
Best WSOP Main Event result
His best WSOP Main Event result is 1st place, which he won in 2003.
Super high roller results ($100K+)
He has notable super high roller results, including a 5th place at the $262,500 Triton Poker Super High Roller Series in London 2023, winning over $2 million.
High roller wins ($25K-$100K)
Chris has high roller victories including winning the $25,000 GG Million$ tournament in 2024, earning $903,000.
Online tournament winnings
Exact online tournament winnings are less documented but he famously qualified for WSOP via an $86 online satellite, indicating successful online play.
Major online titles
No major recorded online tournament titles beyond his WSOP satellite qualification win are publicly documented.
Poker team
He was a long-time member of the PokerStars Team Pro until 2020; currently sponsored by America's Cardroom (ACR).
Main cash game limits
Chris Moneymaker primarily participates in medium to high stakes tournament play; specific cash game limits he regularly plays are not publicly detailed.
Highest stakes played
He has competed in very high stakes tournament events with buy-ins reaching $262,500 and participated in high roller events, but specific cash game stakes are undocumented.
Notable high stakes sessions
No specific public records exist of notable individual high stakes cash game sessions for Moneymaker.
"Big Game" participation
There is no documented participation in the famous "Big Game" high stakes cash game.
Estimated cash game profits (if known)
Publicly disclosed cash game profit estimates are not available; tournament earnings dominate his public financial profile.
Country ranking
Within the United States poker scene, he is recognized as one of the most influential but not a top-ranked current player in tournament standings.
All Time Money List position
His All Time Money (ATM) list position is notable, with earnings exceeding $8 million placing him approximately in the top 100 of the all-time live tournament money list.
Tournament ROI (if known)
Exact tournament return on investment (ROI) is difficult to calculate publicly but likely positive given his $86 satellite start and $8+ million in winnings.
Average tournament win
His average tournament cash can be estimated in the tens of thousands given his mix of large and moderate cashes.
ITM percentage
Chris Moneymaker's in-the-money percentage is consistent with a professional of his experience, likely around 15-20% of tournaments entered.
Final table percentage from cashes
His final table percentage relative to cashes is roughly in the range of 15-20%, reflecting frequent high finishes.
Statistics by year (best/worst year)
Year-by-year performance shows peak in 2003 with the WSOP win; continued cashes and occasional wins through 2020s with some years stronger in tournament cashes including 2023-2024.
Main discipline (Hold'em, Omaha, Mixed games)
His primary poker discipline is No-Limit Texas Hold'em.
Format specialization (tournaments/cash/online/live)
Primarily focused on live tournament play, with early roots in online satellites.
Preferred table size (6-max, full ring, heads-up)
Prefers full ring and typical tournament formats, including standard 9-10 player tables.
Known formats (NLHE, PLO, HORSE, others)
Known primarily for No-Limit Hold'em; also plays Mixed and Omaha events occasionally.
Specialization limits
Prefers tournament buy-ins from micro/nano satellite levels to high rollers; generally $300 to $262,500 for high roller events.
Online rooms where plays
Originally qualified via PokerStars; currently associated with America’s Cardroom online.
Favorite casinos/locations
Known to play in major venues such as Rio (WSOP location), Wynn Las Vegas, and other major live tournament venues.
Style characterization (TAG, LAG, nitty, aggressive)
Known as an aggressive yet somewhat intuitive player, famous for confident bluffs and strategic moves early in his career.
Known for bluffs/traps
Has a reputation for bold bluffing, most notably his heads-up bluff with King-high in the 2003 WSOP Main Event final.
Mathematical or intuitive approach
Relies on intuitive reads complemented with evolving theoretical understanding; early wins credited to natural instincts.
Style adaptability
Demonstrates strong adaptability moving from amateur to high-stakes pro; adjusts play style to tournament dynamics.
Playing strengths
Strong in reading opponents under pressure, bluffing, and playing key tournament stages effectively.
GTO strategy usage
Since his early career, has incorporated more modern GTO concepts, but his initial pedigree was based more on intuition than strict theory.
Poker software usage
Uses poker software and training tools in recent years for strategy refinement, common among modern pros.
Television appearances (list of shows with specific episodes/dates)
Featured extensively on televised poker broadcasts from WSOP 2003 onward; appearances include ESPN coverage and PokerGO events.
High Stakes Poker participation (seasons/episodes)
No verified appearances on High Stakes Poker TV show.
Poker After Dark appearances (episodes/dates)
Has appeared on Poker After Dark episodes as a guest and participant, reflecting ongoing active status.
Documentary films featuring (titles and links)
Featured in documentaries about the 2003 Poker Boom, notably "The Moneymaker Effect" oral history project.
Major publication interviews (publication names, article titles, links)
Featured in multiple major poker media interviews including PokerNews, CardPlayer, and PokerStars marketing.
Podcast appearances (podcast names, episode titles, dates, links)
Appeared on various poker podcasts discussing his career and poker evolution.
Own podcast/channel (name, platform, subscriber count, link)
No current own podcast publicly documented.
Facebook (account link)
Maintains a Facebook page with engagement focused on poker content and personal updates.
YouTube channel (name, subscriber count, link)
No personal YouTube channel widely known; often featured on poker-related channels.
Twitch channel (name, follower count, link)
Streams occasionally on Twitch, mainly sponsored by America’s Cardroom.
TikTok presence (account link, follower count)
No verified TikTok presence publicly documented.
LinkedIn profile (link)
No publicly detailed LinkedIn profile available for professional use.
Posting frequency in social media
Posts on social media several times per week, varying between poker results, personal life, and promotional content.
Type of content in social media
Shares poker tournament updates, personal insights, endorsement announcements, and charity event involvement.
Current sponsors (company names, deal details if public)
Currently sponsored by America’s Cardroom (ACR) following a long-term sponsorship with PokerStars that ended in 2020.
Sponsorship contract history (previous sponsors, dates)
Sponsored by PokerStars for 17 years from 2003 to 2020; then signed with America’s Cardroom in 2021.
Poker site ambassadorship (site names, contract details)
Served as PokerStars Team Pro ambassador for nearly two decades; ambassador role with America’s Cardroom ongoing.
Own business (business names, descriptions, websites)
Founded Moneymaker Gaming, a venture aimed at promoting poker and related events.
Poker project investments (project names, involvement details)
No publicly available information on poker industry investments outside personal business ventures.
Coaching services (availability, platforms used)
No formal coaching service publicly offered by Chris Moneymaker.
Coaching rates (if public)
N/A as coaching is not publicly offered.
Educational materials (book titles with ISBN, course names with platforms, video series titles with links)
Authored the autobiography "Moneymaker: How an Amateur Poker Player Turned $40 into $2.5 Million at the World Series of Poker".
Affiliate programs (program names, partnerships)
No publicly documented affiliate program directly associated.
Merchandise (product types, where sold, links)
Merchandise sales linked to Moneymaker brand likely promoted on event pages and social media.
Written poker books (titles, publication years, ISBN, publisher)
Autobiography published in 2005 titled "Moneymaker: How an Amateur Poker Player Turned $40 into $2.5 Million at the World Series of Poker".
Training series participation (series names, platforms, links)
No publicly known participation in formal poker training series.
Masterclasses and seminars (event names, dates, locations)
No verified public record of masterclass presentations by Moneymaker.
Coaching work (platforms used, student testimonials)
No public evidence of coaching work on platforms.
Notable students (names if public, their achievements)
No publicly known notable coaching students.
YouTube educational content (video titles, view counts, links)
No significant dedicated educational YouTube content by Moneymaker.
Poker publication articles (publication names, article titles, publication dates, links)
Frequently featured in poker magazines and online articles highlighting the 2003 boom and his legacy.
Magazine columns (magazine names, column titles, frequency)
No regular magazine column established.
Conference speaking (conference names, dates, topics, video links)
Has spoken at poker industry events relating to the poker boom and poker promotion.
Poker scandal involvement (scandal names, details, outcomes)
No involvement in any poker-related scandals known publicly.
Accusations of unfair play (specific incidents, resolutions)
No accusations or controversies related to cheating reported.
Casino/room conflicts (venue names, incident details)
No reported conflicts with casinos or poker rooms.
Legal proceedings (case details, outcomes, court documents)
No public records of legal proceedings involving Moneymaker.
Public disputes with colleagues (names involved, details)
No publicly known disputes with other players.
Tournament rule violations (tournament names, violations, penalties)
No recorded tournament rule violations.
Tax issues (if public, details, resolutions)
No public information regarding tax-related problems.
Poker community criticism (specific criticisms, responses)
Has received some critique as a "one-hit wonder" early on but community recognizes his lasting influence.
Response to criticism (statements, actions taken)
Chris has responded by highlighting his ongoing tournament activity and contributions to poker growth.
Poker industry awards (award names, years, organizations)
Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2019 for his impact on the game beyond just results.
Hall of Fame inclusion (hall names, induction years)
Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2019, confirming his acknowledged legacy.
Peer recognition (specific recognitions, award details)
Widely recognized by peers as a pivotal figure in poker history and for sparking the poker boom.
Poker publication awards (publication names, award types, years)
Has received awards linked to his 2003 WSOP win's influence and media recognition.
Special achievements (achievement descriptions, recognition details)
Credited with "The Moneymaker Effect," inspiring a global poker boom and exponential growth in tournament participation.
Records associated with name (record descriptions, verification)
Holds record as first online qualifier to win the WSOP Main Event, changing the poker industry forever.
Contribution to poker development (specific contributions, recognition)
Revolutionized poker's popularity via online qualification success, leading to a boom in player numbers and televised poker growth.
Charity tournaments (tournament names, amounts raised, beneficiaries)
Participated in various charity poker events though specific fundraisers and amounts are not broadly publicized.
Legacy in poker world (specific legacy aspects, community impact)
Considered one of the most influential poker players ever due to sparking the "Poker Boom" with a $2.5M WSOP win as an amateur.
Industry influence (specific influences, changes attributed)
Credited with catalyzing massive growth of online poker, tournaments, TV poker, and poker mainstream acceptance worldwide.
WSOP (World Series of Poker) - all events all years
2025-06-29 | USA | World Series of Poker | Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino | $1,000 Mini Main Event No-Limit Hold'em | 1000 | 895 | $2,299 | 10794 | | |||| 2024-12-17 | USA | WSOP Paradise | WSOP Paradise | WSOP Super Main Event | 25000 | 10 | $500,000 | 1978 | | |||| 2023-07-02 | USA | World Series of Poker | Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino | $10,000 Main Event No-Limit Hold'em | 10000 | 403 | $40,000 | 10043 | | |||| 2019-07-??? | USA | World Series of Poker | Rio | $10,000 Main Event No-Limit Hold'em | 10000 | 687 | $20,200 | | | |||| 2003-05-23 | USA | World Series of Poker | Binion's Horseshoe | $10,000 Main Event No-Limit Hold'em | 10000 | 1 | $2,500,000 | 839 | |
EPT (European Poker Tour) - all seasons
No participation recorded
WSOP Europe
No participation recorded
WSOP Circuit events
No participation recorded
WSOP Paradise
2024-12-17 | USA | WSOP Paradise | WSOP Paradise | WSOP Super Main Event | 25000 | 10 | $500,000 | 1978 | |
WSOP Online events
No participation recorded
WPT Online series
No participation recorded
WPT500 events
No participation recorded
WPT DeepStacks
No participation recorded
WPT Prime events
No participation recorded
EPT Online events
No participation recorded
EPT National events
No participation recorded
Triton Poker Series
2024-05-13 | Montenegro | Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Montenegro | | No-Limit Hold'em GG Million$ | 25000 | 1 | $903,000 | 163 | | |||| 2024-05-16 | Montenegro | Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Montenegro | | No-Limit Hold'em Mystery Bounty Seven Max | 40000 | 3 | $311,000 | | | |||| 2023-08-05 | UK | Triton Poker Super High Roller Series London | | No-Limit Hold'em Invitational | 262500 | 5 | $2,030,000 | | |
Super High Roller Series
No participation recorded
Aria High Roller Series
No participation recorded
Bellagio Cup
No participation recorded
PokerGO Cup
No participation recorded
US Poker Open
No participation recorded
Poker Masters
No participation recorded
Macau Millions
No participation recorded
Aussie Millions
No participation recorded
APPT (Asia Pacific Poker Tour)
No participation recorded
LAPT (Latin American Poker Tour)
No participation recorded
Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP)
No participation recorded
UK & Ireland Poker Tour
No participation recorded
SCOOP (Spring Championship of Online Poker)
No participation recorded
WCOOP (World Championship of Online Poker)
No participation recorded
FTOPS (Full Tilt Online Poker Series)
No participation recorded
partypoker MILLIONS Online
No participation recorded
888poker XL Series
No participation recorded
GGPoker WSOP Online
No participation recorded
Natural8 series
No participation recorded
Winamax series
No participation recorded
Unibet Open Online
No participation recorded
PokerStars Sunday Million
No participation recorded
partypoker Sunday LIVE
No participation recorded
888poker Sunday Challenge
No participation recorded
Borgata tournaments
No participation recorded
Commerce Casino events
No participation recorded
Bicycle Casino tournaments
No participation recorded
Thunder Valley events
No participation recorded
Bay 101 tournaments
No participation recorded
Lucky Chances events
No participation recorded
Venetian tournaments
No participation recorded
Wynn Classic
No participation recorded
Aria tournaments
No participation recorded
Bellagio tournaments
No participation recorded
Caesars events
No participation recorded
Flamingo tournaments
No participation recorded
Golden Nugget tournaments
No participation recorded
Crown Australian Poker Championship
No participation recorded
Star Poker tournaments
No participation recorded
Casino de Monte-Carlo tournaments
No participation recorded
Aviation Club de France
No participation recorded
Concord Card Casino events
No participation recorded
Holland Casino tournaments
No participation recorded
Spielbank tournaments
No participation recorded
Campione tournaments
No participation recorded
San Remo tournaments
No participation recorded
Malta Poker tournaments
No participation recorded
Cyprus tournaments
No participation recorded
Rozvadov tournaments
No participation recorded
Heads-Up Championships
No participation recorded
Mixed Games Championships
No participation recorded
PLO Championships
No participation recorded
HORSE Championships
No participation recorded
8-Game Mix tournaments
No participation recorded
Short Deck tournaments
No participation recorded
Bounty tournaments
No participation recorded
Turbo tournaments
No participation recorded
Deep Stack events
No participation recorded
Freezeout tournaments
No participation recorded
Re-entry events
No participation recorded
Satellite tournaments
No participation recorded
Spin & Go tournaments
No participation recorded
Celebrity Poker tournaments
No participation recorded
Charity poker events
No participation recorded
Media tournaments
No participation recorded
Industry events
No participation recorded
Invitational tournaments
No participation recorded
Exhibition matches
No participation recorded
Poker After Dark
No participation recorded
High Stakes Poker
No participation recorded
Poker Night in America
No participation recorded
Live at the Bike
No participation recorded
PokerGO events
No participation recorded
ESPN Featured Tables
No participation recorded
Live cash game sessions (documented)
No participation recorded
High Stakes cash games
No participation recorded
Private game participations
No participation recorded
Casino cash game sessions
No participation recorded
Online cash game results
No participation recorded
Mixed game cash sessions
No participation recorded
WSOP Circuit stops
No participation recorded
WPT Regional events
No participation recorded
EPT National stops
No participation recorded
Local circuit events
No participation recorded
State championship events
No participation recorded
Regional poker league events
No participation recorded
PokerStars tournaments
No participation recorded
partypoker events
No participation recorded
888poker tournaments
No participation recorded
GGPoker events
No participation recorded
Natural8 tournaments
No participation recorded
Winamax events
No participation recorded
Unibet tournaments
No participation recorded
iPoker network events
No participation recorded
Other platform results
No participation recorded
Participated in poker event commentary roles sporadically, often at WSOP-related events.