Chris Moneymaker, the proverbial face that launched thousands of internet poker players, is the American who won the 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event, taking home $2.5 million. “Money800,” as he’s known online, qualified through PokerStars by playing just a $39 satellite tournament and then subsequently outlasted 838 players to not only do the unthinkable – beat a field of experienced pros and veterans – but also to facilitate the unpredictable, popularizing poker to heights the game had never seen. Dubbed the “Moneymaker Effect,” Chris’ WSOP victory spiked a huge interest in poker as people behind computer screens all over the world realized that if an “everyman” like Chris Moneymaker could win a bracelet, then maybe they could to.

Following his unexpected WSOP win, Chris Moneymaker quit his job to work as a spokesperson for both Harrah’s Entertainment and PokerStars. With more spare time, “Money800” also now plays poker full-time online, and travels the world playing both EPT, and WPT events. He has a 2nd place finish in the 2004 WPT Shooting Stars event for $200K, and two World Championship of Online Poker final tables for a combined $175K. In 2005, Chris also published an autobiography entitled, Moneymaker: How an Amateur Poker Player Turned $40 into $2.5 Million at the World Series of Poker.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Chris Moneymaker now resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife and daughter.

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