Cardschat Presents: An Hour with Chris Moneymaker

[Chris Moneymaker]

Hi Chris:

It is now almost ten years since you won the WSOP Main Event. How surprised were you at the huge effect you had on the game? Where do you think poker will be ten years from now?

never had a clue poker would explode like it did. I think we have leveled off until the US opens back up, however when it does you will see 12-15k at the main event

 

[Chris Moneymaker]

Hello Chris,

A big 'Thank You' to being a huge part in turning the poker world what it is today. I feel poker is at the best it's ever been, and can't wait to see what the future holds for it.

What was the first 'fun' item you bought with your winnings?

Not much of a question, I know, but just wanted to send my thanks to help form the world and industry that we know and love today.

Cheers.

A stripper named snowflake

 

[Chris Moneymaker]

Hi Chris - on behalf of Cardschat I want to thank you for taking this time to spend with us answering questions from our members.

Do you have a favorite live tournament series other than the WSOP that you like to play in every year?

You have met and rubbed elbows with a lot of famous poker players now. Who are your favorites - not as players - but as people/friends?

The EPT is my favorite series by far. It is run so well.
Greg Raymer and Joe Hachem

 

[Chris Moneymaker]

Chris, glad to have you on CC. One question is: What do you think the time frame for legalizing online poker in the
US will be? I am from Alabama and don't think it will come to Alabama.
Thanks.

wish I knew, guess is a couple of years but maybe never for Alabama

 

[Chris Moneymaker]

Did ANYBODY kick you down after all the extra money you brought to the game? Anybody show their appreciation? Or did they just use you?

-

no one kicked me down, everyone overall is pretty nice. People will always try o use you if you have money

 

[Blobweird123]

Guess we can rename this "28 minutes with Chris Moneymaker". Didn't get to my question but oh well. Cool he stopped by at least!

 

[LarkMarlow]

Guess we can rename this "28 minutes with Chris Moneymaker". Didn't get to my question but oh well. Cool he stopped by at least!

I'm sure he'll be back to answer all of our questions when his schedule permits. And yeah, very cool that he stopped by.

 

[LarkMarlow]

Thanks, Chris! We're all looking forward to more responses and insights.

 

[Blobweird123]

I'm sure he'll be back to answer all of our questions when his schedule permits. And yeah, very cool that he stopped by.

Was just being sarcastic lol. My question wasn't a very big or intriguing one so wouldn't mind either way. Just looking for a good poker strat book that I might have overlooked lol

 

[masondub]

A stripper named snowflake

I started laughing because I thought it was a joke.

Greg Raymer and Joe Hachem

Then I read this..

Haha All jokes aside, You seem like a really cool dude and thanks Chris for what you have done for the game of poker!

 

[Debi]

Guess we can rename this "28 minutes with Chris Moneymaker". Didn't get to my question but oh well. Cool he stopped by at least!

I'm sure he'll be back to answer all of our questions when his schedule permits. And yeah, very cool that he stopped by.

Was just being sarcastic lol. My question wasn't a very big or intriguing one so wouldn't mind either way. Just looking for a good poker strat book that I might have overlooked lol

He will be back - I made a mistake when I lifted the new member post count restriction from his account and he had to stop after 10 posts lol.

He sent me an email and is going to try to finish them up today.

 

[Suited Frenzy]

Thanks for being a part of CardsChat Chris. We all appreciate it!

We all look forward to hearing back from you :top:

 

[naruto_miu]

He will be back - I made a mistake when I lifted the new member post count restriction from his account and he had to stop after 10 posts lol.

Now that is too funny

 

[dj11]

I moved to Oakville in Canada but I just did it this Jan. I was a Team Pro who couldn't play for almost 2 years.

The Moneymaker effect in synopsis.
Fat kid everyone relates to beats pokers best so now everyone thinks they can do it too.

Perfect answers to my sort of snipey questions. Thanks Chris.

 

[Poker Orifice]

I moved to Oakville in Canada but I just did it this Jan.

Cool. I was born in Oakville.

 

[Blobweird123]

He will be back - I made a mistake when I lifted the new member post count restriction from his account and he had to stop after 10 posts lol.

He sent me an email and is going to try to finish them up today.

Lol that's good stuff. Looking forward to more answers

 

[A9ofHearts]

Well here is a question I would like answered if you have time for it.
Have you ever had bankroll management issues, and if so how did you overcome them?
Thanks

 

[Chris Moneymaker]

Hi Chris, and thanks in advance for taking the time to answer our questions!

Are there any players out there that you've played that you would not want to play with again? If so why not?

only two that come to mind are galen hall and calvin Anderson. They play almost every pot it seems and make near perfect decisions. They are always making you work. It is fun and challenging but sometimes it nice to have more straight forward guys. I would throw Shaun Deeb in that group too

 

[Chris Moneymaker]

Chris, what u up to these days? How is yr cash game going, vs MTTs... How are your strategies different for each?

Also... what is yr take on Omaha earning potential online these days... vs HE back in the day?

Also... what other poker variants do u like and why?

Thanks...

Cash games are great. biggest difference in my tourney and cash strategies have to do with my stack size. In cash games I splash around a lot because I am super deep in the games I play. I splash around in tournies too but not as freely.

PLO online was the best moneymaker ever for awhile but has gotten so much tougher with the advent of new training sites geared toward plo (see galfond)

I prefer the 8 game mix. Most of the players, unless they are elite have weakness in several of the games

 

[Chris Moneymaker]

Hey Chris,Glad you stopped in @ CardsChat.From Kentucky here.My question is:How excited were you the night or day that you won the satellite tourney that changed your life?Were you screaming ,doing flip flops,calling family?lol I know if I ever did something like you accomplished, I couldn't keep my mouth shut from being so excited.It is truely amazing how you boosted the online & brick & mortar poker world.Thanks again,Tommy.
P.S. A good tip from an fan of yours: Place your money on the UK wildcats to win the NCAA basketball National Championship 2014.

I was mildly excited. It was a bucket list item to play the main event but had no delusions of cashing much less winning. I told a few peole obv.

as a Tennessee fan it hurts me to say I agree

 

[Chris Moneymaker]

Chris, thank you so much for taking the time from your busy life to spend this hour with us. What an honor this is.​

Here are my questions:​

When did you start playing poker?​

Did you read any books, or just learn by playing?​

In the years following your big win, you were under such intense scrutiny. How did you cope with that?​

What are your dreams and plans for the future?​

Thanks again for being here,​

Lark​

I started about a year and a half before winning main event. I was primarily a limit player back in those days.
I learned by playing. I don't think you can learn all that much in books, you need to experience different situations and learn how people react
I never felt any pressure. I am always hardest on myself, I play the game because I enjoy it and don't take it to seriously
I want to raise my kids right and be a good role model. Also want to do what I can to grow poker and help others

 

[Chris Moneymaker]

Hi Chris,

Did you ever became friends/close with Amir Vahedi after the ME Final Table?

never saw him again unfortunately

 

[Chris Moneymaker]

Hello sir (I wanted to say congrats on all your poker success)...

My questions are as follows..

1) What is the biggest advangate "Key" thing (I guess only way to sum), that a player would need to be a winning player?

2) At what stage should a person really quit poker? I ask because ppl believe have stated in the past to me that a person who doesn't win with-in a certain time frame will be an over all losing player, I don't know this to be true or not, so I'm hoping you can clarify it for me..

Once again thx for taking the time out to answer our questions

There are several attributes one needs. A good memory, quick thinking, creativity, discipline, patience, some math skills, pshycology
I would tell someone to quit if they didn't enjoy the game or let the game effect them in other aspects of their lives. Losing players can always improve and get better. If you enjoy the game you will take the time to improve

 

[Chris Moneymaker]

Hi Chris,

Were did the name moneymaker, come from?? If you could change it, what would you change it to??

German decent, they made silver and gold coins back in the day
like my name wouldn't change it

 

[Chris Moneymaker]

Did taking second in the WPT Shooting Star, change things for you?

-

It did in two ways
first I finally quit my job as I realized I could make it playing poker full time
second it gave me a false sense of confidence and I became complacent for a few years with my game and quit trying to learn and improve