Chris Moneymaker is one of the players that always draw attention and not just because of his name. In 2003 he won the World Series of Poker and has created one of the best online poker tournaments. For the persons not so familiar with the poker game, his story will captivate them but most of the times they would be curious about his name. Yes that is his real name and indeed he makes money. He started as an account and then after his success he became an endorser for PokerStars.com and for Canadian Club whiskey.
I interviewed him over the phone and he seemed a very modest man, not too bragging about his success and he answered various questions about his life and the game.
HoldemRoom (HR): What advice would you give to a person who considers about going pro?
Chris Moneymaker (CM): To have a day job.
HR: And why is that?
CM: Because everybody lives with the impression that poker is a very easy game, and it doesn't require anything to succeed. It does, it requires money, time and a lot of effort. If you have the support you need it can be as charming as you see it on TV, if you don't is very hard.
HR: Most think that since you, a novice managed to beat all those pros, they can do it; they can all win millions of dollars if they would have the chance to compete in such events. What is your opinion about that?
CM: I consider they are wrong. The game is much more than you see on TV, you require some skill. Personally I am very good to read what cards the other players have in their hands. And it is not easy to do it; most of the players can't do it.
HR: In your book and in other interviews, you said that you come from a family of gamblers; you loved playing card games since you were little, that you don't like losing. Did that had any importance of you winning the 2003 WSOP?
CM: Yes it did, you can't be successful in this business if you don't like to take risks, and also to have a good memory to calculate the odds, and to be able to read people.
HR: If a player does not have all those qualities you mentioned, can he still succeed through training?
CM: Yes they can, like in may case I don't have a photographic memory but when it comes to poker I am very good at and I can remember most of the things related to the game.
HR: Do you get the same attention like when you won the WSOP?
CM: Yes basically the same, I still get recognized, I still get endorsement offers.
HR: What about the Moneymaker movie?
CM: We are very busy so it's very difficult, but we have found producers and companies willing to do it. We will work that one later, because we don't have any time right now.
HR: How was it to write a book?
CM: It was fun and in the same time difficult. I am not a writer so the ghostwriter really helped me.
HR: Would you return to the traditional work you did before winning the WSOP?
CM: I have my own company so the traditional work would be different. I would be a manger, not an account.
HR: Is your company related to poker?
CM: Yes it is related with poker accessories and poker chips.
HR: Soon the Jeff Gordon Foundation Poker Classic Tournaments will begin. What's your opinion about this?
CM: I'm looking forward to it especially because we get a chance to help but also because I will play with a NASCAR driver.
HR: It is rumored that the movie "Rounders" inspired you to play poker. Do you consider yourself a rounder?
CM: Maybe a little bit but the main difference is I don't play a lot of cash games like a rounder would do.
HR: How was it like playing with Johnny Chan, who was in the movie Rounders?
CM: It was surreal, he was my idol and the fact that I could play next to him was great.
HR: Since the 2003 WSOP you have became an idol, book writer, and a better poker player. What do you intend to do in the future?
CM: Well doing what I am doing right now: promoting PokerStars and Canadian Club whiskey and playing in tournaments.
That was my interview; I thank Chris for his agreement to answer my questions and soon after the interview was done we went to our jobs each: me typing this interview and him playing poker.
