World Series of Poker Champion
Chris Moneymaker, a 27 years old poker player from Tennessee, won the 34th World Series of Poker at Binion’s Horseshoe Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas on May 24, 2003. Moneymaker, known to his friends as “Money”, became a contestant via the Internet for only $40 instead of the normal $10,000 entry fee. He qualified on line at PokerStars.com. The tournament began with 839 players, the largest in the history of the series. After 5 days of play Moneymaker won $2.5 million, also the largest 1st prize ever. By the way, contestants 2 through 63 all ended up in the money.
