Chris Moneymaker‘s story is one of the most remarkable and transformative tales in the history of poker. An accountant with a passion for card games, he stunned the world in 2003 by winning the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event after qualifying through an $86 online satellite.
His win not only earned him millions but also sparked the “Moneymaker Effect” — a poker boom that inspired countless amateur players to chase their dreams at the felt. Two decades later, Moneymaker remains a respected name in the poker community, both for his legacy and his ongoing contributions to the game. In this report, we will delve into Chris Moneymaker’s early life, poker journey, net worth, and his personal life.
Chris Moneymaker’s Early Life and Introduction to Poker
Born on November 21, 1975, Chris Moneymaker grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. He completed high school at Farragut High School in Knoxville and went on to earn a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Tennessee.
Introduced to gaming by his father, Moneymaker initially played blackjack casually. His serious interest in poker was sparked after watching the iconic film Rounders. Inspired, he began playing online poker as a hobby while working as an accountant, unaware that this pastime would soon change his life forever.
Chris Moneymaker’s Poker Career and Winnings
In 2003, Moneymaker won a seat into the WSOP Main Event through an $86 satellite tournament on PokerStars. With no experience in live tournaments, he took a leap of faith, and it paid off in a monumental way. He outlasted a field of 839 players, including many of the world’s best, to claim his first gold bracelet and a gigantic $2.5 million prize.
Following his breakout victory, Moneymaker finished as the runner-up in the $5,000 WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star Main Event in 2004, earning $200,000. In 2007, he won the APPT Sydney A$1,000 event for $35,841.
In 2011, he placed 11th in the PCA $10k Main Event, securing $130,000, and later that same year, he finished second in the $25k NBC National Heads-Up Championship, winning $300,000. In 2013, he captured his first PokerStars title by winning the EPT Monte Carlo $1k 8-Game event for $15,735.
While Moneymaker continued to play regularly, he didn’t replicate the earnings or spotlight of 2003 until the post-pandemic era. In 2023, he made a major return to the poker scene by finishing 5th in the Triton Poker SHRS London $250k Invitational, taking home $2,030,000 — his second-largest career score.
In 2024, he won the Triton Poker Montenegro $25k GGMillion$ for $903,000. In the same series, he rounded out the podium in the $20k NLH Mystery Bounty, also earning $311,000. He followed it with a $179,770 victory at the Enjoy Poker Tour $1,650 Main Event. He capped off the year with a deep run at the 2024 WSOP Paradise $25k Super Main Event, finishing just outside the final table for a $500,000 payout.
In 2025, he has already cashed in two events at the Enjoy Poker Tour, earning over $7,000. To date, Chris Moneymaker has accumulated more than $8.2 million in live tournament winnings from 147 cashes and currently leads Tennessee’s all-time poker money list.
Chris Moneymaker’s Net Worth in 2025
Although exact figures are not officially confirmed, Chris Moneymaker’s net worth is estimated to be in the millions. After his 2003 WSOP win, he became a PokerStars ambassador, which gave him the platform to play globally and gain prominence in the poker world. He now serves as a brand ambassador for ACR Poker, a well-known but a little controversial platform.
In addition to playing, Moneymaker launched his own poker series — the Moneymaker Tour — which features six- and seven-figure guarantees and travels across various poker rooms in the United States. This endeavor has solidified his presence not just as a player but also as an influencer in the industry.
Chris Moneymaker’s Personal Life
Chris Moneymaker has been married twice. His first marriage ended in 2004, primarily due to the shift in lifestyle that followed his rise as a professional poker player. He and his first wife have a daughter together. In 2005, he remarried, and as of 2025, he and his second wife live together, with whom he also shares a daughter.
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