Chris Moneymaker Celebrates 15 Years With PokerStars
March 7, 2018 4:47 pmAt a time when poker sponsorship deals are harder to come by than ever, especially for US players, one pro whose contract remains secure, even after 15 years of being sponsored by PokerStars, is that of the 2003 WSOP Main Event winner Chris Moneymaker.
That year, the former accountant helped spark the “poker boom” after taking down the prestigious WSOP Main Event for $2.5 million having first having qualified for the $10k tournament via an $86 satellite on PokerStars. As well as proving to be online poker’s most historic year to date, Moneymaker’s subsequent recruitment by PokerStars soon led to numerous other sponsorship deals being offered to pros by other operators who quickly came to realize the marketing potential offered by having successful players representing their brands.
Since winning poker’s most coveted prize, however, Moneymaker has earned just $1,204,160 from live tournaments, and only recorded two six figure years, namely in 2004 earning $244,239, and in 2011 winning $433,922. Nevertheless, the 42 year-old is one of the hardest working pros representing PokerStars and can regularly be seen taking part in various tournaments throughout the country wearing his sponsor’s patch.
Another lesser known fact about Moneymaker is that his early poker career can best be described as that of a “degenerate” gambler, making it all the more inspirational that he could then turn his life around to become a long-term winner in the game. Having learned lessons from past mistakes, both his own and that of other people, Moneymaker explains that following his massive payday all the money subsequently went into his bank account and remained untouched for at least half a year. One of the main reasons cited for doing was in order that he could avoid the fate of many other big gamblers, such as those who scoop huge lottery prizes, but then end up losing it all after just a few short years.
Following a decade and a half in the business, Moneymaker continues to be content with his lot, and says that he looks forward to representing the site which made it all possible for many years to come. As he subsequently explains:
“I don’t like risk, and I’ve nothing left to prove. I work with PokerStars and get a bunch of great opportunities, I live the life I want, and I’m happy.”