After previously having to give up his eponymous poker room, the WSOP champ fulfills his dream
Chris Moneymaker is making his second attempt at a Kentucky poker room with the grand opening of the Moneymaker Social Louisville this past Saturday. It’s the second poker room to operate in the Bluegrass State, competing with another facility in the same area, about 20 minutes from the University of Louisville.
Today is a big day for @CMONEYMAKER and his brand as he re-opens the doors on a new social in Louisville Kentucky at 3pm! If you live in the area, go check out all the hard work put into today’s opening! @MMSocialLou pic.twitter.com/QtINaNnUV6
— Tony Burns (@MMTonyB) June 1, 2024
The 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event champion opened his first Kentucky poker room in Paducah in 2022 but was forced to close by early 2023 after local authorities threatened to sue the business.
Moneymaker Social operates as a club, similar to poker rooms in Texas, as most forms of gambling are illegal in Kentucky. These clubs charge players membership fees instead of collecting rake, which is illegal. Russell says members pay $80 per month or $10 per day to enter and a seat fee of $7 per half hour. The poker room manager also thinks this second try in Kentucky will have a different result. “We have extensively done research,” said Russell. “The District Attorney is excited to have us here.”
The support from local authorities wasn’t extended by Paducah officials, who weren’t in favor of local poker rooms. Moneymaker also has plans to open a second room in Lexington.
Moneymaker Social is a stand-alone facility featuring eight tables, with room to expand if the club adds a tournament tour, such as the Moneymaker Tour, in the near future. Six tables were available on Saturday, offering players $1/$3 No-Limit Hold ’em and $5/$5 Pot-Limit Omaha games.

Emma Rodriguez is the Proofreader at the Big Blind, with seven years of experience and five years in online gambling. She plays a crucial role in maintaining content quality by ensuring error-free, reader-friendly information about the gambling industry.