Amateur Wins World Series Of Poker
Well-Named Accountant Beats Out Pros
UPDATED: 10:42 a.m. EDT June 2, 2003
LAS VEGAS -- With a name like Chris Moneymaker, how could he lose?
The 27-year-old accountant from Tennessee parlayed a $40 investment in an online poker tournament into a $2.5 million win in the annual World Series of Poker at Binion's Horseshoe in downtown Vegas.
It was not only the first time he ever played the World Series, but the first time he had ever engaged in a face-to-face poker tournament, beating out more than 800 other players, including a bunch of professional gamblers.
The improbable story about the guy with the improbable name started when Moneymaker won the $10,000 entry stake in an online poker tournament at PokerStars.com. Several online casinos took part in the promotion, allowing amateurs the chance to take part in the biggest poker tournament in the world. Moneymaker sold "shares" in possible winnings to his father and friend to help finance the Vegas trip.
Then he got busy, outbidding, out-playing, and outwitting even the most seasoned poker champs with a style that he admits involved a lot of bluffing. The final hand came at about 1:30 in the morning after almost 11 hours of play, when Moneymaker drew a full house to beat his opponent and walk away with $2.5 million, the largest poker tournament prize in history.
After paying off his father and friend's investments, Moneymaker plans to donate some of the money to charity and use the remaining to pay for his 3-year-old daughter's college education, among other things.
This Week's Trivia
Q: When the Clark County Airport was renamed McCarran Field in 1948, how many flights per day did it average, and how many per day does McCarran International average now? ANSWER The Weekly Trivia Question is sponsored by the Online Memorabilia Museum at Vegas4Visitors.comThe Full Story
-
Crowds, Cost Take Focus From Rio Buffet Food
Four Queens Reminds Of Old Las Vegas
Airport Web Site Can Prepare You For Arrival
Other News: Bellagio Shows New Look, La Reve Doesn't
Vegas Q&A: Which Hotels Offer Shuttles?
Vegas Q&A: How Does Video Keno Work?
An 11-year-old Gainesville girl called 911 and helped her mom deliver her newborn baby sister when the big moment came before they could get to the hospital.
A family still coming to grips with the death of two children at the hands of their father -- who then took his own life -- announced plans for a Sunday memorial service.
A Camden County High School senior scored a perfect 2400 on his SAT, amazing his teachers, parents and even himself.
At least one of six people shot inside an Orlando high-rise building late Friday morning has died and police say they have arrested the shooting suspect. Video: Buildings, Schools Locked Down
Former Hurricane Ida drenched Central America as a tropical depression Friday and forecasters said it had some chance of regaining force and heading toward the U.S. next week.
Police said Osmanovic and Gray spent several nights at a south metro motel, and on one particular morning, Osmanovic wore a recording device and said he was going back to the hotel room to be with Gray.
Sept. 9, 2008: Ponte Vedra Beach mother Quinn Gray describes her very physical relationship with the man she said abducted her.
Watch highlights from week 10 of the high school football season on Football Friday on 4.
Crime scene investigators took video of inside Quinn Gray's home the night she was reported missing. Detectives were looking for evidence. Gray claimed she was forced from her home at gunpoint and cops considered it a crime scene.
Watch more highlights from week 10 of the high school football season on Football Friday on 4.
An 800 square foot mobile home in Nassau County was destroyed by fire Tuesday night. Both residents in the home escaped safely.
Quinn Gray showed investigators marks on her arms and legs she said were the result of her kidnapping.
Slideshow
Capturing N.E. Florida's wanted suspects is a tough task, so the local station is trying to help with the Wheel of Justice. Every Thursday morning, the wheel spins and a wanted fugitive is profiled.
Images: Fugitives On 'Wheel'
Email Alerts
RSS News Feeds
Mobile
Live Streams
Slideshows
Video
Search
