Chris Moneymaker: Famous Gambling Personalities ✅ Encyclopedia Casinoz

Home
Encyclopedia
Chris Moneymaker

Table of contents

Childhood

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Moneymaker grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, attending Farragut High School. His surname, "Moneymaker," originated from his German ancestors who crafted coins (originally "Nurmacher"). He earned a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Tennessee and worked as a comptroller while playing poker part-time. His father introduced him to gambling, fostering a love for blackjack and sports betting during college.

Career

Post-WSOP Success

2004: Finished 2nd in the WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star ($200,000).
2011: Runner-up in the NBC National Heads-Up Championship ($300,000).
Total live earnings: Over $3.95 million (as of 2022).
Inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame (2019).

Sponsorships & Business Ventures

PokerStars Ambassador (2003–2020): Helped popularize online poker.
Americas Cardroom (2021–present): Joined as a sponsored pro.
Founded Moneymaker Gaming and launched the Moneymaker Poker Tour.

Personal life

Married twice:

First marriage (divorced in 2004) due to conflicts over his poker career.
Remarried in 2005; has three children (two daughters, one son).

Lives near Memphis, Tennessee.

Shifted from a party-heavy lifestyle to a family-oriented one after his children were born.

Revenue

WSOP winnings: $2.5 million (2003).

Total tournament earnings: ~$4 million.

Estimated net worth (2024): $16 million (including sponsorships and business ventures).

Never in a million years did I think the sport of poker would blow up the way it did.

The beautiful thing about poker is that everybody thinks they can play.

Interesting facts

His WSOP win tripled participation in the 2004 Main Event.

Almost took $8,000 cash instead of the WSOP seat but was convinced to play.

Still plays low-stakes tournaments despite his fame.

Legacy

His win democratized poker, proving amateurs could succeed via online satellites.

PokerStars’ popularity surged, leading to a global poker boom.

Inspired future champions like Joe Hachem (2005 WSOP winner).

Frequently asked Questions

The poker boom triggered by his win, encouraging millions to play online.

$2.5 million (WSOP Main Event).

Yes, primarily in live tournaments and as an ACR Poker ambassador.

He transitioned to Americas Cardroom in 2021 for new opportunities.

Marianna Pozharsky

Senior international correspondent and veteran gambling journalist

Marianna started her career in 2002, becoming one of the first authors of a gambling news site - the predecessor of Casinoz. Even before the heyday of the online industry, she covered its formation: from the first European licences to underground clubs with pirated slots. In 2009, when the project was transformed into Casinoz, Marianne became the portal's key reporter. In 20+ years in the profession, she has seen the evolution of gambling: from underground rooms to legalisation in the US, from Flash slots to blockchain casinos. Her materials are a chronicle of the industry, a nexus of eras where every event is explained through historical context.

An expert in: