The poker space has come a long way since it started going digital, largely thanks to iconic Chris Moneymaker and players like him. Online poker began gaining traction in 2003 when Moneymaker, still working as an accountant, won the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and became the first world champion to qualify through the medium.
This led to a surge in amateurs trying their hand and cementing Moneymaker’s plays in the annals of poker history. Over twenty years later, the pro is considered a fixture of modern gambling and has amassed a following and a fortune, transforming poker into his full-time job. Today, we’ll look at how rich poker’s most famous Moneymaker is:
What is Chris Moneymaker’s net worth?
Chris Moneymaker has lived up to his name with a current net worth of $4 million. While his total earnings across games and other endeavors surpass that value, previous business closures and his divorce from his first wife resulted in significant financial setbacks. In an interview with ESPN, he talked about building back his wealth with endorsement deals, public appearances, and continued pursuit of his professional poker career.
His central claim to fame and wealth was his initial WSOP victory, which came with a $2.5 million payout. Since then, he has had 11 cashes, one bracelet, and a final table placement with the tournament series bringing his winnings to over $3.15 million. He has earned under half a million dollars across other tournaments and tours.
Moneymaker’s lifestyle as a traveling poker pro also contributes to his current net worth, as he regularly stays in various high-end hotels worldwide. Although he has shared how he has wound down his activities during these trips and enjoys staying home with his family, these travels are a continued investment for the player. As noted in our previous piece on Hotel Stays for Business and Pleasure, these spaces often allow people like Moneymaker to take advantage of meeting rooms and facilities for both leisure and professional activities with high stakes.
How does Moneymaker make money?
The most obvious and popularly known stream of Chris Moneymaker’s income is his professional poker career. As previously mentioned, his various winnings net him thousands of dollars per event. Among his latest cashes was $5,195 from the Mixed Omaha event from the Moneymaker Tour’s Maryland leg.
This doesn’t cover appearance fees for established events where he is a guest, representative, or ambassador. Part of his influential standing is due to being the very reason for the “Moneymaker Effect,” which is referred to as the sudden boost in poker players (and particularly its online avenues) after his 2003 WSOP Main Event win. This eventually led to his autobiography, Moneymaker: How an Amateur Poker Player Turned $40 into $2.5 Million at the World Series of Poker — a successful foray that continues to generate more income and interest in his career.
His prestige grew as he became an endorser and expanded to different partnerships. He is an ambassador for Americas Cardroom, the #1 US poker site with the most extensive tournament schedule among its contemporaries. Moneymaker, known for his critical role in the massive adoption of online poker, has put his stamp on the platform as it has become the most secure platform in the US for online poker games.
Americas Cardroom has also garnered more fame for its anti-collusion technology, affiliation with the reliable Winning Poker Network, larger regional coverage and licensing, and restricted program exclusions that level the playing field for different skill levels. In partnership with them, Moneymaker often leads events like the Moneymaker May-Hem tournament. This month-long celebration will allow players to win a $10,000 Main Event seat and $5,000 cash for travel and accommodations.
Moneymaker has also launched a social club in Louisville, Kentucky, that hosts various cash games and tournaments, charging for memberships at a range of $10 daily or $500 annually. He tops it off with his own LLC, Moneymaker Gaming, to manage all these assets, partnerships, and endeavors.
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