Chris Moneymaker Poker This year marks the fifth year anniversary of Chris Moneymaker’s historic victory at the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. By qualifying online at Pokerstars for only $39, Moneymaker bested 838 other players and achieved the ultimate poker fantasy – Winning the WSOP main event. After his improbable triumph, ESPN’s Norman Chad marked the moment forever with his famous words: “This is beyond a fairytale. It’s inconceivable.” Now, every summer, thousands of poker players flock to WSOP in Las Vegas, aspiring to become the next Chris Moneymaker.

I recently interviewed this poker icon to recount in his own words his celebrated win.

Bernard Lee (BL): Chris, it is amazing that five years have passed since your win at the 2003 WSOP main event. How has your life changed since?

Chris Moneymaker (CM): It has been a complete whirlwind - 180 degrees difference. I said when I won the tournament that I wouldn't let it change my life and I tried to not let it. But there is only so much you can do to control it. In the end, it sort of takes over your life.

BL: How did you get started in poker?

CM: Well, I used to sports bet and play blackjack a lot in college. I was pretty bad at both of them. I could never win, but I liked going to the casino. I wanted to figure out a way to stay and drink all day, have a good time and not leave broke. So after I watched the movie Rounders, me and my friends started playing poker regularly, eventually getting into Texas hold ‘em. We would go down to Tunica to play and I found out was pretty good at it. At least I could go down there, drink all day and walk away the same amount of money I came with, which for me was a blessing in disguise.

BL: How did you get started playing online?

CM: A friend recommended that I try playing at PokerStars. So I tried it and fell in love. Being able to play from home was fantastic. At first, it was a little bit rough but about six months in, I started making money. I played some tournaments, mostly $5 to $10 buy-ins.

BL: Everyone talks about your famous $39 satellite. How many shots did you take to win a seat?

CM: I actually fired only one gun. I had $60 in my account at that time. I was playing a single table tournament for $39. I actually thought it was a cash sit ‘n’ go for $39.

BL: Really?

CM: Yup. So after I won, there was no money in my account. I was a little bit upset. I looked back at the screen and saw I won a seat into next week’s $615 super satellite for the WSOP. So, I played in the $615 and when we got down to the final table and I was a pretty good chip leader. However, I did not want a seat, I only wanted 4th place (top three won seats) so I could win the $1000.

So I did everything in my power to get 4th place for the longest time until a buddy of mine called. He was watching and asked me what in the heck I was doing trying to lose and I told him what I was trying to do. He said “I’ll give you half the buy-in ($5,000) and take half your action. So, go ahead and win the seat.” Well, a week before I go to the World Series he calls me and tells me he doesn’t have the $5,000 anymore and can’t give me half my action. So now I got a seat and no cash. I’m up a barrel now.

BL: (laughs) Well, it sort of worked out anyway, didn’t it?

CM: Yeah, at the end of the day, it worked out quite well.

BL: The 2003 WSOP was your first live tournament. What was it like when you walked into Binion’s?

CM: When I walked in, it was just a sea of people. People that have been to the Rio know it’s just like football field of tables. At the Binion’s Horseshoe, it was more of an intimate setting. The ceilings are lower, it’s an older establishment. It’s been around a long time. I was walking around and saw the wall of champions. You see Johnny Chan and all the pictures of the champions up on the wall. The place is built around poker. When I got there, it was just amazing to see this sea of people just crammed into this room. Back then, it was only 839 people in the main event but it was still packed at Binion’s.

In Part II, Chris Moneymaker discusses his run during the 2003 WSOP Main Event.