Moneymaker: How an Amateur Poker Player Turned $40 into $2.5 Million at the World Series of Poker

by Chris Moneymaker

Book Overview

In 2004 the number of entrants -- and the winning pool -- at the World Series of Poker tripled, thanks in large part to Chris Moneymaker, an amateur player who came out of nowhere to win the 2003... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060746750
• Release Date: March 2006
• Publisher: It Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 5.3" x 0.6"

Customer Reviews

A book for anyone who has ever dreamed of winning it big!!!

+++++ "The poker player learns that sometimes both science and common sense are wrong; that the bumblebee can fly; that, perhaps, one should never trust an expert; that there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt by those with an academic bent." This is an actual quotation (by a famous poker player) found in this fascinating, well-written, and often humorous book by Chris Moneymaker. Yes! That's his real name. (Daniel Paisner, an author, also helped with the writing.) This book definitely proves the above quote and effectively conveys how Moneymaker "turned $40 into $2.5 million at the [2003] world series of poker." This is not a strategy book. However, the reader will pick up a few tips as Moneymaker recounts the days that led up to him winning the 2003 world series of poker. Day one (there are five days altogether) of his incredible journey to become a poker champion is interweaved with biographical details of his life. Moneymaker was not, as the book's subtitle states, an "amateur poker player" or, in fact, was not an amateur gambler. He was, however, an amateur poker tournament player. Starting with day two, there are "chip leaders" lists for each day. The tournament that Moneymaker was involved in (which he ultimately won) had a total prize pool of $7,802,700. There are appendices at the end of the book each of which is called a "crib sheet." People not familiar with poker will find them invaluable especially the ones entitled "A short course in Texas Hold'em (this was the type of poker game that the tournament Moneymaker was involved in played) and "A glossary of poker terms." Finally, my only minor complaint is the glossary (that's indicated above) does not contain a couple of basic poker terms. In conclusion, this book recounts how an amateur poker player named Chris Moneymaker turned $40 into $2.5 million at the world series of poker. I will leave you with another quotation by a famous poker player that is in this book: "Poker is a lot like sex. Everyone thinks they're the best, but most people don't know what they're doing." (first published 2005; 9 chapters; afterword; main narrative 225 pages; 5 appendices) +++++

A true story about a good guy who isn't perfect

This is far from a how-to book on poker. I'd say its more of a how-NOT-to on life, especially where gambling is concerned. Chris Moneymaker touches on his life story while describing the events and some of the key hands that led to his winning the 2003 World Series of Poker tournament. The thing I respect most about his story is that he lets you have the good AND the bad. He pats himself on the back where appropriate, but humbly lets you learn from his mistakes too. As a novice poker player I found the blow by blow description of his poker experiences interesting and often informative. You get a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes at a tournament like this, an idea of what it feels like to suddenly find yourself up against some of the big names, and some insight into what goes thru someone's mind when thousands, and then millions are riding on what you do with a couple playing cards you're holding in front of you. A book like The Super System tells you how to play poker - this book tells you what its like to play poker at the top. Meanwhile, other parts of the book left me wanting to slap him for the stupid decisions he made in his life, and then shake his hand for being honest and generous enough to include the negative aspects - the devestating mistakes he made with his life, specifically his problems with gambling. A lesser man would have left this at a fairy tale-like "average Joe hits it big" story. Instead, he gives it all, the good and the bad. Overall, the story moves along very nicely. Its honest and interesting. After reading the book I feel like I know the guy for what he is, a good guy, a good poker player, a down to earth type who isn't perfect and doesn't mind letting you know it. It would have been all too easy to leave out the embarrassing parts while accentuating the good ones and just give you the glamour leaving you with an air brushed picture of a larger than life instant celebrity, but instead, whatever his motivation, he had the stones to tell it like it is. For his honesty, and the simple fact this book was such a page turner alone, I gave it five stars. This is a must-read for anyone interested in poker.

Excellent story

The book keeps you interested from the first page. You feel like you are there with Chris Moneymaker every step of the way as he wins the world series of poker. The ups and downs, the strategy, the friedships, the come from behind effort and the relationship with his father are all brought to light in this great book. You also pick up a few strategies along the way which actually helped me take a few bucks from my friends at the monthly game.

Great Poker story!

I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Chris starts out with his early gambling life in College,Sports Betting and Blackjack. The book that he has written really goes in depth on how he was thinking in certain key situations in the 2003 World Series of Poker. Mr. Moneymaker seems to taken offense to some comments made on some of his plays made by a certain commentator from Espn, I have to agree with Moneymaker he was right most of the time. The thing most Poker players already know is you can never win a Tournament without getting "lucky" more than once. The book was written in a nice easily read manner, and its a true "Cinderella story" I loved it.

A quick interesting read

I bought this book to learn more about Chris Moneymaker and his exciting adventure to win the 2003 World Series of Poker. It was a quick read and kept my attention the whole time. I liked reading about how he got involved in sports betting in college to playing poker in the local card rooms and online. After all the hype and coverage on TV with this tournament it was interesting to learn more about Chris and his life and his rise from zero to hero. I would reccommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about Chris Moneymaker and how he won the WSOP.