Chris Moneymaker Interview

Chris Moneymaker, 34, will go down in poker lore as the “every day amateur guy” who came out of nowhere to beat the pros to win the 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event which ignited the poker boom. His win and affect on the game is now known as the “Moneymaker Effect.” He has been a visible member of Team PokerStars Pro ever since and been active promoting poker.
What was life like before your historic WSOP Main Event win in 2003?

I was your normal working guy. I was an accountant by trade. I worked as a controller for a restaurant group. It was a sweet deal. I was in charge of people and got to make my own hours. Since it was the restaurant industry I was able to work evenings more which I preferred.

Did you ever have any idea of the impact your name and your win would have on global poker explosion?

Never in a billion years. I qualified for just $33 on PokerStars.com. I thought I just won a tournament. I was back at work Monday morning.

Did you find it difficult to deal with being the focus of the poker world after becoming the champion? What have been the most positive things it has brought and what have been the most negative?

It was difficult only from a personal point of view. I am very hard on myself. At first after winning I would get upset if I didn't win every tourney I played. The most positive is my awesome family and the time I get to spend with them. I have great flexibility with poker and it lets me enjoy everything with my kids. There isn't much negative once I grasped the fact that I can't win every tourney and I still have a lot to learn about poker. I honestly thought I had the game figured out and quit working on improving my game for about 2 years. I finally realized the game was changing and passing me by so I started to work on it.

We always enjoy following your performances both online and live and it seems that you have a new hunger at the moment...is that true?

Like I stated above I became complacent with my game. I stopped working. I was eliminated in so many tourneys on bad beats I chalked it up to bad luck. After awhile I caught myself making plays I wouldn’t normally make. At that point I took a month off from playing and did nothing but analyze my game and find some leaks as well as see what some of the successful people were doing and trying to incorporate it into my game.

There was an interesting hand of yours shown from this years WSOP where you thought your opponent was taking too much time and you eventually called the clock on him only to realize the action was on you not him... to which you instantly called and caught his bluff. Tell us about that hand?

The hand was right before dinner break and he had really stepped up his aggressiveness leading up to dinner. He was three betting light a lot at this point. I raised in the hijack with A 10 and he three bet his button. My first thought was to four bet cause I knew his range was VERY wide here. We were pretty deep so I decided to call. I normally don't ever call hands like A 10 out of position but in this spot I felt like I had a good idea where he was. The flop came 10 high and he c-bet which I decided to flat since I saw him 4 barrel a guy 30 min. before with air. He checked back the turn and I lead like 9k of my 50k stack. I really felt I was betting for value and was very sure I had the nuts in the hand. He obviously tanked for awhile, and no one heard him say a word. I was hoping he would make a move on the river honestly. A backdoor straight came in on the river and was the only hand I could give him that beat me in that spot (which he could raise). When he said he had moved in instantly I smiled on the inside and called.

What poker goals do you have remaining? Do you think you could ever win the WSOP again?

The WSOP Main Event is a huge field, but still full of weak players. I have been unlucky in the years since my win, but feel I do have a couple of deep runs in me in that tourney. I don’t have any poker goals other than to be disciplined and make the proper decision as much as possible. I have learned that if you play well things work out eventually.

What is life like for you away from the tables?

I spend 90% of my time with my wife and kids. We are always busy doing something. I am getting into MMA a lot right now. I don't follow it on TV at all but go to local fights where I have friends fighting from the gym I go to. I am currently doing MMA training to get into shape and push myself. I enjoy watching football and basketball as well.

Do you keep up to date with all the latest in the poker world?

I have never followed poker really. I focus on my game and what I can control. I watch the Big Game on TV, outside of that I don't know anything going on in the poker world. I need to follow it a little more.

Your famous bluff against Sammy Farha heads up for the WSOP title has gone down in history as one of the most memorable plays ever. How do you feel about it now looking back? What made that hand even more memorable was that your father was in the audience and said that you were definitely bluffing. How did he know?

I honestly try not to think about the past that much. I was in a zone and had a good read on several players including Sammy. It was a tough spot for all that money but I told myself from day 3 in that tourney I would follow my reads no matter what. ESPN edited a lot of the footage, I don't think my dad knew I was bluffing.

What advice would you give to other players playing big tournaments for the first time against well known professional players?

Do what I did in the WSOP that year. Realize that they get 2 cards just like you do, and that they are no better than you. People polarize their ranges so much when they play well known pros. Just play them like you play anyone else. Look for information and try to exploit their weakness.

You look very serious when playing poker on TV. Is it still fun for you?

Everyone thinks I am very unhappy when they see me on TV, my wife included. I have had people tell me that if you don't enjoy poker why do it. The truth is I love the game but still have a hard time losing. I am ultra competitive and when I am shown on TV lately I am losing a hand. Also, we play for many hours a day and it gets boring at times so that shows through some. I try to spend as much time with my wife and kids as I can, they bring me happiness. The more time I spend with them the more I realize poker is just a game and it makes the bad beats easier.

Words I live by now:

* Pick your battles

* Don't sweat the small stuff

* Make good decisions and good things will follow

* Family is everything

Do you have other projects or business interests besides your playing?

I have a slot machine company. My wife has a children's clothing store and I am working on a few TV projects and a movie.

What are the best and worst things are about the fame and fortune poker has brought to you?

The best is freedom to be with my kids. The worst is the constant eye watching for you to make a mistake.

What do you do to keep your game sharp and improving?

I am a member of a training site and study my hand histories. I swallowed my pride a few years ago and realized I didn't know everything. I don't learn by reading so I don't read books. I learn from watching videos or playing.

What can you share about yourself that most people wouldn’t probably know?

I am athletic. Most people think I am this overweight guy. I hover around 190 lbs and am working to get down to 170. I played competitive soccer for almost 20 years. I wrestled in high school and did light boxing.

What does the future hold for Chris Moneymaker?

I am about to eat lunch and play some online. After that we will see.

Are there any players who you really don't like to see at your table?

Joe Hachem and Barry Greenstein. They both not only have my number but when they sit down at my table I take the sickest beats alive. Joe always tells me he has never seen someone take some of the beats I do. It happens A LOT when he is around.

Who do you rate as the top 3 players in the game right now and what is it about them that allows them to be so much better than others?

Ivey and Durrrr are only 2 that come to mind. They both dedicated their lives to the game. They live eat and breathe poker 24/7. That and a lot of talent pays off.

If you could be world champion of anything else what would it be and why?

World Champion of Dad. I want the best for my girls.

What is your favorite fun poker phrase/slang/acronym?

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE and FML

If the poker industry disappeared completely, what other career would you most like to attempt?

Accounting here I come

If you were on death row, what would be your last meal?

Steak covered in mushrooms and blue cheese. With fries.

When your poker career is over, what would you most like to be remembered for?

Honestly, I don't care.