From Accountant to Poker Icon: How Chris Moneymaker Continues to Cash In Two Decades Later
Chris Moneymaker’s story is the stuff of legend. In 2003, the former Tennessee accountant shocked the poker world by turning a $39 PokerStars satellite into a $2.5 million payday by winning the World Series of Poker Main Event. That victory ignited the “Moneymaker Effect,” sparking an online poker boom that transformed the game from a niche hobby into a global phenomenon.
But here’s what’s remarkable: more than two decades later, Chris Moneymaker is still beating the odds.
In May 2024, Moneymaker added another major trophy to his collection, winning the $25,000 GGMillion$ event at the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series in Montenegro. The elite tournament featured a $4,075,000 prize pool and an intense final table, with players like Isaac Haxton, Adrian Mateos, and Brian Kim. Moneymaker’s first-place finish earned him $903,000, his third-largest career score behind his WSOP win and a $2 million finish at Triton’s Luxon Invitational in 2023. “This victory is not like the WSOP,” Moneymaker said after the win. “To be honest, it was much more complicated… competing with these guys at Triton Poker is much more challenging because I know how good they are.”
Far from being a one-hit wonder, Chris Moneymaker has built a career of longevity, reinvention, and relevance in an industry where few manage to stay at the top. His ability to evolve from amateur underdog to poker icon, brand ambassador, and crypto enthusiast explains not only his continued success at the felt but also his robust and growing net worth.
What Is Chris Moneymaker’s Net Worth?
As of 2025, Chris Moneymaker’s net worth is estimated to be around $12 million. That figure is more than justified when you consider his career earnings, business ventures, and ongoing brand relevance.
To date, Moneymaker has over $8 million in live tournament winnings, per The Hendon Mob database. While his $2.5 million payday in 2003 remains iconic, his consistency over the years, especially in high-stakes environments like Triton Poker, proves his enduring skill and marketability. However, poker winnings only tell part of the story.
Moneymaker’s sponsorship deal with Americas Cardroom has significantly boosted his income and visibility. As one of the top ambassadors for the leading US poker platform, Moneymaker has played a central role in the site’s branding and tournament offerings. In July 2024, the platform launched the “Sunday Moneymaker” tournament in his honor. Since then, it has attracted more than 78,000 entrants and awarded over $13 million in prize money, including a $400,000 prize pool on the last Sunday of each month.
This level of engagement isn’t just good for players; it’s lucrative for Moneymaker himself. His name commands loyalty and nostalgia, making him a critical figure in America’s modern online poker resurgence. With endorsements, hosting fees, and potential equity in ventures tied to his name, it’s clear that Moneymaker’s financial empire extends far beyond the green felt.
The Moneymaker Tour: Bringing Poker Back to the People
While Moneymaker continues to thrive in elite high roller circuits, he’s never forgotten his roots as an everyman player. That ethos is the driving force behind the Moneymaker Tour, a live poker series he founded to give amateur and semi-pro players a stage to shine. Rather than sticking to major poker hubs like Las Vegas or Macau, the Moneymaker Tour visits accessible and inclusive venues across the United States. One standout event took place in February 2024 at the Palm Beach Kennel Club in Florida, attracting a diverse crowd of recreational and aspiring players. These tournaments offer professional-level structures but remain affordable and welcoming, a true homage to Moneymaker’s original Cinderella story.
In interviews, Moneymaker has expressed a desire to keep the spirit of poker alive at the grassroots level. By creating a tour under his own name, he’s democratizing the game under his brand. Players who might not have the bankrolls for WSOP or Triton events now have a meaningful alternative where they can compete, grow, and dream big. This grassroots approach has strengthened his legacy and added another layer of value to his public persona, making the Moneymaker Tour a financial and cultural asset in his net worth portfolio.
Crypto and Blockchain: Moneymaker Bets on the Future
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that a player as forward-thinking as Chris Moneymaker is also an early adopter of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Poker players, after all, are trained to think probabilistically, adapt quickly, and seek out edge, all traits that align closely with the crypto investor mindset. Moneymaker was an early advocate of using crypto in the poker space, not just for trading or investing, but for its practical benefits. “It makes it so much easier to move money around,” he explained. “In poker, that’s important—for instance, I can shift some money to Las Vegas in minutes.” He also introduced Americas Cardroom CEO Phil Nagy to Zed Run, the NFT-based virtual horse racing game that combines gambling, blockchain, and collectability. According to Nagy, poker players are “naturally inquisitive” and well-suited to grasping emerging tech trends. Moneymaker, ever the trendsetter, clearly saw the potential in NFTs and blockchain well before they became buzzwords.
As mentioned in our “Golden Rules While Investing in Cryptocurrency” article, crypto continues to integrate with online poker platforms: enabling faster deposits, international accessibility, and decentralized finance options. Moneymaker’s foresight places him ahead of the curve. His endorsement of cryptocurrency isn’t just ideological; it’s strategic, and likely adds another dynamic layer to his growing wealth.
Chris Moneymaker’s impact on poker can’t be overstated, and neither can his net worth, which reflects not just past wins but present influence and future vision. With millions in tournament earnings, a lucrative sponsorship with Americas Cardroom, a grassroots poker tour bearing his name, and a sharp eye for emerging technologies like crypto and NFTs, Moneymaker has proven that he’s more than a one-time champion. He’s a perennial force in the poker world.