For the GRID’s first anniversary episode, Chris Moneymaker tells a hand he played soon after his WSOP Main Event victory, against movie star Ben Affleck. The 25/50 No Limit Hold Em Cash game was hosted in 2003 at the Palms Casino, back when the hotel had a poker room. Ben was opening, calling or raising every single hand, and started the action in this one too, opening for 200. He got four callers including Vince Van Patton and Moneymaker, who was in position with three-five of spades. The flop came king of spades, ten of space and six of the clubs, giving Moneymaker a baby flush draw. Everyone checked to an offsuit four turn. Ben bet 1100, Vince called, and Chris raised to 4K. The river was the 4 of spades, completing Chris’s flush. Ben and Vince checked and Chris bet 6K, only to get raised to 17K by Affleck. Vince tank folded. The pot had swelled to over 100K and Chris now had a crucial decision whether to jam or call.

After unraveling the full details of the epic hand history, Chris talks about how to get invited to good games and why he fights for every last chip even when only play money is at stake.

Chris Moneymaker has been a member of Team PokerStars Pro since his historic 2003 World Series of Poker victory against Sammy Farha, a win that incited a poker boom. In 2019 Chris was inducted into the World Poker Hall of Fame, the same year that he hosted, the “Moneymaker Tour,”, which awarded Platinum Passes worth $30K all over the World.

We ask Moneymaker how many times he’s been asked “Is that your real name?”, why he doesn’t really drink anymore, and the doomed chop negotiations with Sammy Farha at the 2003 WSOP.  

You can find Chris Moneymaker on twitter, instagram and on PokerStars.

Now that three-five suited has been clicked off thepokergrid.com, there are 133 combos remaining. Thanks to our guests and listeners for a year worth of podcasts- look for a special GRID inspired anniversary show at host Jen Shahade’s twitch channel on Friday May 15th.