An accountant from Tennessee wins his way into the World Series of Poker after claiming an Internet tournament with a $40 buy in.
Somehow, amidst a room full of the biggest names in the game, he emerges as the winner of the annual event and its $2.5 million prize.
It may sound stranger than fiction, but it's the true story of Chris Moneymaker, who changed from a longshot to a poker celebrity by winning the 2003 World Series.
And yes, it may soon be a movie.
"They're going to try (to make it a movie)," Moneymaker said of his story.
No word yet as to who would play his part.
"I'm looking for someone who will project my persona. Probably, I don't know, Brad Pitt ... Ben Affleck would probably be a good fit," he said.
Moneymaker, whose nickname is "Money," was at Harrah's Council Bluffs Casino & Hotel Sunday afternoon, signing autographs and meeting the legions of fans he's gained thanks to ESPN's coverage of last year's Texas Hold 'em tournament.
The visit also involved a 10-player Texas Hold 'em tournament, which included Moneymaker.
The winner of the tournament, Larry C. of Bellevue, Neb., won hotel and airfare as well as the $10,000 entry fee for this year's tournament.
For Moneymaker, who finished eighth in Sunday's tournament, it is part of his new job, which includes promoting poker rooms at Harrah's properties, which recently purchased the financially strapped Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas, the annual site of the World Series of Poker.
"I quit my job Thursday of last week," the former accountant said. "I do this full time now."
It's not all fun and, well, games.
"It seems like a lot of fun," he said, "but it's a lot of work."
Moneymaker's poker odyssey began four years ago, and oddly enough, he gave some credit to the movie industry.
The champion said he was just starting to gain interest in the game when he viewed "Rounders" for the first time.
The movie sparked a curiosity in No Limit Texas Hold 'em, referred as "The Cadillac of Poker," in the film.
Texas Hold 'em is a game consisting of seven cards. Each player gets two cards face down, followed by a round of betting.
Then five community cards are dealt face up.
First three cards, called the flop, are dealt. Then a fourth up card, called the turn, and a final card, often referred to as the river. Betting follows each round and the player with the best five-card hand wins the pot.
"I didn't like (the game) at first," he said. "But I fell in love with it."
At the 2003 World Series, Moneymaker saw himself at the same table as poker greats Phil Ivey and Johnny Chan - the 1997 and 1998 champion.
"They bullied me a little bit," Moneymaker admitted, adding he decided to change his game at that point. "I just wasn't afraid anymore.
"I realized they had the same cards I did."
Moneymaker reached the final table and outlasted Sam Farha, winning on a full house, fives over fours.
With the victory, he earned an engraved bracelet and his photo on the wall alongside the other poker champions.
Past champions have often said they spend the money, but the other part of the bounty will last a lifetime.
However, Moneymaker said the opposite is true.
"It's the money," he said. "I could do without the rest of it as long as the money is coming in."
Moneymaker didn't have much time in Council Bluffs for this visit, arriving Sunday morning and leaving for tournament action in Las Vegas on Monday.
"(Council Bluffs) has been great so far," he said.
The champion returns to Vegas looking to defend his title in this year's event. The World Series began with minor tournament action on Thursday. The major tournament begins May 22, with the final table play to be held May 28.
This time he enters as a former champion, instead of an underdog, which suits him just fine.
"I'll be back (to Vegas) Monday," he said. "I'm looking forward to it."
Source: Jeff Deluca, Daily Nonpareil
