10 years ago today...

[dino1980]

This happened.



This moment had a massive impact on poker and is probably responsible directly or indirectly for many of us on Blonde taking up poker as a pastime, aggressive hobby or career.

I've met him a couple of times and he's down to earth and genuinely seems humble for what the game of poker has given him (although I accept this may not always have been the case).

Seems an appropriate place for people to share their 'Moneymaker moment' or what impact him winning the WSOP in 2003 has had on them.

As for me I work in the poker industry which obviously wouldn't be the size it is now but for him and do some work for PokerStars who obviously grew in popularity and size on the back of his victory. So have a lot to thank him for.

There's a lot been written about this moment Nolan Dalla's six part series (http://www.nolandalla.com/chris-moneymakers-2003-wsop-victory/) and Eric Raskin's Oral History of the 2003 WSOP (http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9286395/the-oral-history-2003-world-series-poker-where-moneymaker-turned-40-25-million) are both excellent reads.

[Killer River]

I cant believe that 10 years have past since this moment, how time fly's. It changed poker for sure tho all the fish that where around after this win by moneymaker was unreal. Shame its not like that today. Just like in the sea we are running low on fish and to many sharks!

[Da Bookie]

My first live tournament was the 2007 EPT grand final in Monaco I qualified for $24.80 on Stars. I played day 1 A and the other half at the time wanted to take pictures so we got there early first at the table. Pictures taken she left and I stood about taking in the atmosphere and feeling like 20.000 leagues out of my depth. The second person to arrive at our table was Chris Moneymaker. I shook his hand and we chatted for 10 minutes or so he put me at my ease and was a credit to himself and the sport of poker. I somehow managed to make the end of the day and again he had a few words and took the time to talk. I came back shortstacked day 2 doubled up twice and got bad beat 15 off the money for the record.
     I ran in to him the next day and again we chatted and wished each other well. Whatever you may think of him as a poker player I have always been impressed by his attitude away from the table and lets face it he has has an awful lot of stick over the years and to the most part seems to have come through it quite well. Top guy in my book.