Moneymaker has been credited with launching the “poker craze”, along with assistance from televised tournaments and the increased popularity of online poker.
Christopher Bryan Moneymaker (born November 21, 1975) is an American poker player, the winner of the Main Event at the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP).
His 2003 win is said to have revolutionized poker because he was the first person to become a world champion after qualifying at an online poker site. This has been referred to as the Moneymaker Effect.
It was during his time as an accountant that Moneymaker achieved a significant milestone, writing poker history by winning a seat in the 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event through an $86 satellite poker tournament on Poker Stars online poker cardroom.
After winning the Main Event, he quit his job and became a professional poker player and as a celebrity spokesman for WSOP owner Caesars Entertainment and PokerStars. Nowadays Chris is a businessman and philanthropist with his heart for animals and mental awareness. Chris is still very involved in poker, founder of Moneymaker Tour.
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. Eric Raskin, editor of All In Magazine, compiled an oral history of the 2003 WSOP Main Event, which included input from three dozen top poker executives and personalities who were involved, also titled “The Moneymaker Effect.”
“It was fascinating to discover the parallels between your expertise in poker and the intricacies of our business. Your inspirational and fun presence made us reevaluate our perception of poker as a remarkable sport, mastered by you for over two decades.”
“Thank you for speaking at the LaGuardia Media and Public Relations luncheon. You could have heard a pin drop throughout your presentation – you had the audience at the edge of their seats the whole time you were speaking.”