Chris Moneymaker

Chris Moneymaker is credited as being the man who almost single-handedly made poker as hugely popular as it is today, and there’s no doubt that his incredible win in the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event is what made millions of ordinary people around the World decide they maybe they too, had a chance to become millionaires overnight on Poker’s biggest stage of all.

Chris entered the shark filled 2003 main event after qualifying for the tournament online with a stake of just $85. Such players, far fewer in those days, were usually easy fodder for the seasoned professionals, who generally competed amongst themselves to see who could knock out the nervous newcomers first, and take their chips of course. Chris Moneymaker broke the system that day and sent a few of those sharks home in shock, after an incredible run of luck that saw him become a millionaire overnight, and inspired millions of others to see if they could repeat his success for themselves, from the comfort of their own homes.