The man who started the online poker explosion ticks off a “bucket list” game
Chris Moneymaker, who made history by winning the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event and igniting the world of online poker, has returned to Las Vegas after two decades to establish his position as one of the foremost figures in the game’s rich history. He has gained widespread recognition, and recently upped his game by participating in the WSOP Poker Players Championship (PPC) at the 2023 WSOP, putting up the largest buy-in of his 20-year long career at $50,000.
It came as no surprise that poker greats such as Phil Ivey, Eli Elezra and Lyle Berman participated in the PPC event. However, the unexpected presence of Moneymaker, who typically plays in lower stakes games and only occasionally in the $10,000 Main Event, was a shock. In an interview with PokerNews, he referred to his participation in the tournament as a bucket list item.
The road to success in the $50,000 Poker Tournament is arduous, and Moneymaker found himself seated among formidable opponents at the shark table. The challengers included Josh Arieh, a five-time bracelet winner, and Matt Glantz, who received a million dollars last year. As the day progressed, Moneymaker was also flanked by defending champion Dan Cates on his left and Poker Hall of Famer Negreanu on his right.
Lady Luck didn’t accompany him all the way on this journey, though. He got in against Cates on a flush draw, not realizing that his opponent was also after the same thing. They both scored their flush, but Cates had higher cards, leaving Moneymaker to walk away without making any money.
Editor-in-Chief of the Big Blind, a prominent gambling industry publication, brings 30+ years of journalism experience to his role. His vision emphasizes clarity, accessibility, and responsible journalism, making the Big Blind a trusted source in the online gambling sector.
