2003 World Champion who ignited the poker boom invites fans and media to “Ask Me Anything” about his historic win, recent victories, and new global poker tour.
San Jose, Costa Rica, May 9th, 2025 — He turned an $86 online satellite into $2.5 million and a World Series of Poker title, sparking a global poker boom now known as the “Moneymaker Effect”. Now, Chris Moneymaker, the 2003 WSOP Main Event champion and one of poker’s most influential figures, is giving fans and journalists a rare chance to engage with him directly in a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) on the popular /r/poker subreddit, scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
Moneymaker’s Cinderella-story victory in 2003, when the then-accountant from Tennessee toppled 839 players to become world champion, is widely credited with igniting the modern poker boom. His unlikely triumph made poker a global phenomenon, inspiring millions of amateurs to take up the game. Moneymaker went from unknown to poker superstar overnight, later having his impact immortalized as the “Moneymaker Effect,” and earning induction into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2019.
In the two decades since, Moneymaker has built an enduring poker career. He served as a global ambassador for the game, famously representing PokerStars for 17 years, and today continues to influence poker as an ACR Pro, representing Americas Cardroom. Far from resting on his laurels, the 49-year-old legend has recently added new accolades: in 2023 he notched a seven-figure score with a fifth-place finish in a $250,000 buy-in event in London, earning over $2 million. He followed that with a tournament victory in 2024 for $903,000 at a high-profile Montenegro event, proving that his competitive fire is still very much alive.
Beyond the felt, Moneymaker has turned his passion into opportunities for others. In 2023 he launched the Moneymaker Poker Tour, a series of live poker events designed to give everyday players a shot at their own extraordinary moments, much like his in 2003. The tour quickly gained momentum, in 2024 it held 10 stops across the United States and then expanded internationally for the first time with a landmark event in Aruba. This year, the Moneymaker Poker Tour’s growth continues unabated. Fresh off successful U.S. stops in Florida, the tour is making its overseas debut in new regions: an inaugural Canadian festival is slated for May 7, 20, 2025 in Montreal, marking its first foray into Canada.
“Chris Moneymaker’s Main Event win in 2003 not only had an impact on poker in the United States, but around the globe,” said Tony Burns, Moneymaker Poker Tour Executive Manager. “We’re excited to be bringing that spirit worldwide with our first international events.” Moneymaker himself has expressed pride in seeing the tour flourish: “I want players everywhere to experience that magical ‘anyone can win’ feeling. Taking the tour global, from the Caribbean to Canada and beyond, is a dream come true,” he said.
On Tuesday, May 6 at 12:00 AM ET, Chris Moneymaker will log on to Reddit’s /r/poker community to host an open Q&A session. The AMA format (“Ask Me Anything”) means no topic is off-limits, poker enthusiasts and reporters alike can post questions and get unfiltered answers directly from the man who changed the course of poker history. This AMA is framed as a rare opportunity to hear first-hand stories and insights from one of the game’s most influential figures, in an informal setting accessible to all.
Moneymaker is expected to field questions about the full span of his career and legacy, including: his legendary 2003 WSOP Main Event run and how it felt to turn $86 into poker immortality; highlights and lessons learned over 20 years on the circuit (such as his recent major wins and Hall of Fame honor); his perspective on the online poker scene as an ACR Pro; and the vision behind the Moneymaker Poker Tour’s expansion beyond the U.S. Fans can also ask about memorable moments, challenges he’s overcome, and advice for aspiring players looking to follow in his footsteps.
“I’m really looking forward to connecting with everyone on Reddit,” said Moneymaker. “Poker has given me an incredible story to tell, from an accountant who hit the jackpot, to a Hall of Famer still grinding and giving back to the game. This AMA is a chance for me to share that journey and interact directly with the poker community. Ask me anything, I’m an open book!”
The /r/poker subreddit (with over 350,000 poker fans worldwide) has hosted AMAs with top players before, but a session with Chris Moneymaker promises to be something special. Poker fans and media outlets are encouraged to tune in and participate. Whether you want to learn about the 2003 final table moments that weren’t on TV, get updates on his latest tour stops, or just say thanks for inspiring a generation of players, this AMA offers a unique forum to do so.
About Chris Moneymaker:
Chris Moneymaker is the 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion whose unlikely win as an amateur qualifier revolutionized the poker world. A member of the Poker Hall of Fame and a sponsored pro of Americas Cardroom, Moneymaker has over $4 million in live earnings and remains a prominent ambassador of the game. He is the founder of the Moneymaker Poker Tour, bringing competitive poker events to players across the U.S. and beyond.
About Americas Cardroom:
Americas Cardroom (also known as ACR Poker) joined the Winning Poker Network in 2011. The Winning Poker Network has been dealing cards since 2001 and continues to be one of the most trusted names in the industry. Rated first place for payment processing and cashout reliability repeatedly over the last few years, ACR Poker offers outstanding customer service and a friendly environment for all poker players around the world.
Media Contact:
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