WSOP History (2003): Moneymakers Key Hands

News / Chris Edwards / 24 June 2008 / Leave a comment

In 2003 Chris Moneymaker made history when he won the Main Event. In his first live tournament, Chris outlasted 839 players to take the $2.5m first prize, writes Chris Edwards.

On day two his stack had taken a huge hit from 180,000 to 100,000 after Phil Ivey and Johnny Chan constantly outplayed him, utilizing Chris's inexperience. 'I was playing so scared that I decided to come back on the third day and not play the same way' Said Chris, and over the next two days he did just that.

On day three Chris was sat two seats to the right of Johnny Chan, who he credits as the toughest player he has ever faced. On the button, Chris raised Ah8h and Johnny in the BB defended with Kh5h. The flop comes Ad 4h 3h which is a great flop for both players. Johnny checks and Chris fires a continuation bet, something he had been doing all day with his new found confidence. Johnny then raises and Chris goes into the tank, taking off his glasses and asking for a chip count. Chris then moves all in and Johnny calls. The 9h on the turn leaves Johnny drawing dead. 'He outplayed me yesterday but today I caught him' Chris said afterwards.

Towards the end of day four, the field had dwindled down to 10 players, with one more player eliminated before the final 9 man table resumed the next day. Moneymaker held the chip lead at this point and during the final hand of the night, raised with AQ preflop. Phil Ivey made the call with 99 and Big Game regular Jason Lester made the cal with 1010. Chris strikes gold on the flop once more, Qh 6s Qs and he bets right out. Ivey calls and Lester folds. The turn brings the 9c, giving Ivey a Full House. Chris bets out again and Ivey waits before moving all in. Lester folds and Chris instantly calls, looking sick when he sees Ivey's cards. In a tournament when he couldn't miss, the river As gives Chris a better Full House and knocks out the tournament favorite.

Moneymaker was not just a card rack. During heads up play against Sam Farha, Chris made one of the most memorable bluffs in WSOP history. On the button, Chris raised with Ks 7h and Sam defended with Qs 9h. With a flop of 9s 2d 6s, both players check. The turn brings the 8s and Sam quickly bets his top pair and flush draw. Chris makes a strong raise with his combo draw and Sam quickly calls, saying 'We said its going to be over soon'. A 3h on the river changes nothing and Sam checks and Chris moves all-in, having Farha covered. Sam rightly said 'you must of missed your flush', but could not follow his instincts and folded.

Chris would win the tournament in the next hand, making bottom two pair on the flop against Sam's top pair. While it's hard to argue against Chris being lucky in this tournament, he made a long lasting impression that would change the poker world forever. Anyone can win.