Moderator

  (3:13 PM)

Hey folks .. we haven't been able to reach Chris. Sorry for the inconvenience. We will save your questions and try to reschedule.

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:19 PM)

I am here and ready to go!

Jimmy (Phoenix, AZ)

Hey Chris!!! Besides the money, what has been the biggest change that winning the WSOP has had on your personal life? (Just want to know so when I win it someday, I'll know what to expect :)...thanks

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:20 PM)

First of all, it put me on the road more. I quit my old job and I travel a lot more now.

Bob, San Francisco

I have been watching poker for about a year now and I really appreciate how you have handled your success. You always seem to have positive things to say, which isn't always the case in poker. Anyway, I am a beginning player and I play mostly $10 single-table and multi-table tourneys. At what point do you think its advisable to jump up a level and start playing for bigger stakes?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:21 PM)

When you can consistently win at smaller stakes you can make the jump. Every level you go up the play changes dramatically.

Mike, Philadelphia

Any tips you can give me on how to keep a straight face out there?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:22 PM)

I always pretend like I'm nervous no matter what. I try to fall asleep.

Sam Franklin(Northbrook IL)

Chris, who do you consider the best player in the world?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:22 PM)

Wow. Stu Unger. Doyle Brunson. Can't go wrong there. Too many good ones to name.

Ronald (New York, New York)

Phil.. while skill is a large part of poker, do u think luck is an underrated part of the game?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:23 PM)

Luck is definitly part of the game. The faster the blind structure, the more luck is involved.

Andrew (West Hartford, CT)

Chris - Knowing that you started your career online, do you still play there or are you specifically playing live these days? Also, do you believe that online poker can even improve your skills as most of the time these internet sites pride themselves on bad beats. I've never lost so many times with Kings in my life when that third Q falls on the river.

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:24 PM)

I play so much, generally live. I still enjoy online but I'm in casinos enough to play live most of the time.

Darius(Mpls)

Chris, Much has been made by some of the old line that the new guns don't show the game and the older players the proper respect. Do you see that at all?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:25 PM)

Sometimes. A lot of the younger players, myself included probably, show a lot of emotion. We are talking about a lot of money on the line. It's just a very emotional thing that the younger players aren't used to.

Kevin (Detroit, MI)

My friends and I have been contemplating this for weeks...is Moneymaker your real last name?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:25 PM)

Yes.

Kevin (Boston)

Amazing call on Dutch with those 33, what gave you the feeling he just had overcards?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:26 PM)

Well, the way he played his hands. I just had a read on him throughout the tournament.

KB, Charlotte, NC

YOu were clearly out 'experienced' last year but you won anyways. What do you do when you know you're up agains better/more experienced players? Thanks and congrats on last year...it was awesome to watch.

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:27 PM)

You can balance the fear by playing super aggressively. That will frustrate a more experienced player.

Pat (Chicago)

How many times have you replayed the bluff hand vs. Farha in your head? Do you wonder how your life would be different if he called with those 9s?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:27 PM)

I don't do it a lot. It would have been a lot different but I'm not sure how.

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:28 PM)

There were a lot of hands that could have affected my life. I try not to think about them all.

David Knoxville, TN

Hey Chris, as a fellow MAcc alum, I was wondering if your accounting background has helped your poker game?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:28 PM)

It helps with the numbers a bit. It's a mathematical game.

Rocco (Milton,MA)

You seemed to get along well with Dutch Boyd last year in the WSOP are you guys close at all and if so has he invited you to be a part of "the crew"

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:29 PM)

He invited me to be part of the crew last year but I turned him down.

Brian, Pittsburgh, PA

Are you living i Vegas now?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:30 PM)

No, I still live in Nashville.

Justin, NY, NY

Well, this seems an obvious follow-up...why'd you turn him down?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:30 PM)

I don't play that many tournaments and they wanted to play a lot.

Joshua (Snellville)

How about that hand to beat Phil Ivey? Were you ready to walk out before the river card was laid down? That was the best one on one matchup in 2003.

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:31 PM)

If I lose the hand, I still have $1 million in chips. So I wasn't ready to walk out.

Will (Sacramento, CA)

Hey Chris, I'm wondering what your thoughts are about ESPN and the WPT banning players from wearing certain logo gear...do you think this is fair for the players?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:32 PM)

No, it's not fair to the players. I disagree with the policy.

Brian (Detroit)

So are you a full time poker player now?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:32 PM)

Sort of. I play when I want but that is my only source of income.

Clif (fort worth)

Have you played or spoken to Mr. Fahra since the final table..

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:33 PM)

Yes, I have. I've both played and spoken to him several times.

Trae (MIA)

Which pro is the most unnerving to play at a table with?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:33 PM)

Phil Ivey. Or Eric Sidel.

Mike ( L.A., CA )

Chris, What do you think the differences are between most good players and world class players? Congrats on your success.

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:34 PM)

World Class players can lay down the toughest hands and play any two cards at any time without fear. Their reads are impeccable.

Brian (Chicago, IL)

Did you beat Fahra again?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:34 PM)

I lost in a heads up match online on Poker Stars.

Pat (Chicago)

Do you feel like you walk into a game with a bullseye on your back now that you've won the Big One? Have you had to change your game since then?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:35 PM)

Everytime I feel lile I have a bullseye on my back. Everytime.

Sean (Athens)

Is it more fun to play aggressively with less chips, or to have the chip lead and play conservatively?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:35 PM)

It's more fun to have the chip lead and play aggressively. It's just more fun to have the chip lead!

John (Huntington,WV)

When can we expect a book or some DVDs ;-)

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:36 PM)

A book will be out in March titled "Moneymaker".

Trae (MIA)

Is Howard Lederer as big a jerk as he comes across on TV, or is he just THAT intense?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:36 PM)

Very intense but a very pleasant guy.

Damon (NY, NY)

sitting around a table all day with the same people, it must get tiring, no? what do you do to stay alert?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:37 PM)

You spend the entire day trying to pick up tells.

Chuck (Greenfield, WI)

What is the most common tell that a beginning player does?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:37 PM)

Beginning players .. if your opponent acts weak he is strong and if he acts strong he is weak. That is the most basic tell.

Kevin (New York)

What would you rather start with, pocket Q's or A, K?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:38 PM)

Pocket queen's.

Mike (Rome)

Chris, wanna play in the $5 buy-in tournament in my living room?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:38 PM)

(Laughing) I love those type of tournaments!

Pat (Chicago)

Have you heard anything about the rumor that in '06 the WSOP might move to a 25K buy-in to try to limit the number of players?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:39 PM)

From what I have heard, the WSOP will remain at $10,000. From my knowledge that is the plan.

Robert Redmond, Wa

Chris last year did you have any tells on sammy in the final table at wsop. If yes did you share them with him at a later date.

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:40 PM)

I didnt' share them with Sam. I shared them with my dad the night before.

Kyle (Denver)

Why are queens your favorite to start with?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:40 PM)

Well, I've already got a pair first of all. It's statistically a better hand from the get go. But it also depends on how many players have called. With poker, everything depends.

Goulet (Burbank, CA)

Which player on the tour is the most annoying or not fun to play with?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:41 PM)

That's a tough one .. Phil Hellmuth can really get under your skin. He's a nice guy though.

Brian (Detroit, MI)

Who do you consider to be the best woman poker player?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:42 PM)

Jennifer Harmon.

Joe Benik (Frederick, MD)

I read somewhere that 800,000 of your prize money had to be paid to "backers." But you only paid $40 to qualify for the tournament. Can you tell me how that works? Thanks.

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:43 PM)

Basically people put up money for you before the tournament starts and they get a percentage in the end. 95 percent of tournament pros do it.

Mark (DC)

How is your family/wife taking your new career choice?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:43 PM)

It's difficult at times being on the road. But other than that, it's fine.

J.D. (Columbia, MO)

Does poker run in the bloodline in Moneymaker family?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:44 PM)

I'm the first person in my family to play poker.

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:44 PM)

But gambling does ..

Ray (Syracuse)

Ever wear your bracelet?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:44 PM)

Twice. Not very often.

Fred (Phoenix)

If you already qualified, why do you need a backer?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:44 PM)

You never NEED one but many choose to have one.

chris (san francisco)

just wanted to say congratulations on your big win last year. You have inspired many to be "better" poker players. Many have seen you on TV now and some have probably picked up a few tells on you. Has that changed your game at all.

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:45 PM)

My game has definitly changed a lot. But not from TV. It's from playing against better opposition.

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:47 PM)

A lot of you are asking about backers still .. Tournament players use backers for extra income. Tournaments can get very expensive if you don't win. Backers can help alleviate some of that pressure.

Melanie (los angeles)

Do people recognize you now in public from seeing you on TV?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:47 PM)

Everyday. Everywhere I go. It can be good or bad. Depends on the day.

Justin from Raleigh, NC

Hi Chris, I just wanted to know how you handle the differences of playing in live tournaments compared to online play. What adjustments did you have to make when you played in the 2003 WSOP. Also particularly did your playing style change any (more aggressive, tighter play, etc.)? Thanks.

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:48 PM)

Online you hav to be a lot more aggressive. Live play you have time to contemplate your moves more often and you get to pick up physical tells and betting tells.

Hutch (Chicago, IL)

Is there a way to send for an autograph request?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:49 PM)

Come to any of my promotional events with Harrah's .. I'll be in KC on the 22nd of August and Metropolis on Sept. 5.

Trae (MIA)

Chris, do you see any other casino "table game" becoming as popular as poker?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:50 PM)

I doubt it highly. Poker has such an element of competitivness that other games don't have.

Pat (Chicago)

Are you a sports fan? Like most Tennessean's you probably love the Vols and Rocky Top, huh?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:50 PM)

Yeah, a huge sports fan. I live every sport. I don't miss Vols or Titans games.

Randy (RI)

Do you sign autogrpahs in Casinos? or would that bother you?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:51 PM)

I sign just about everywhere you can imagine.

Fred (Phoenix)

What's your favortie city to play in, Vegas, Atlantic City, ect?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:51 PM)

Aruba.

Levi (Atlanta, GA)

Chris, Do you plan on going back into mainstream "work" in the future or are you devoting the rest of your life to playing poker? (And no, this isn't your mom).

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:52 PM)

I plan on going back to mainstream work. Poker is great for now but it's not a great lifestyle.

Lucky (KC, Mo)

What is your favorite form of poker? Texas Holdem? High-Low? Seven Card stud? Blind Man's Bluff?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:52 PM)

Hold 'Em is my favorite game but Omaha is quickly growing on me.

neal dallas

what's the coolest thing you bought with your winnings?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:53 PM)

I'm a pretty simple person so probably my house.

Scott (Lexington)

How much prep time do you spend preparing for a tournament like the WSOP?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:53 PM)

It's hard to spend prep time. I listen to my Ipod to get excited in about five minutes.

Pat (Chicago)

When you go out do you often have people challenging you to games, wanting to play and beat a world champ?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:54 PM)

Fortunately, I do.

jim (Ny)

why not a great lifestyle? the travel?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:55 PM)

The travel, the uncertainty. Once you live the lifestyle, you understand. You lose tough with everything.

Jason (Tampa, FL):

Is it true that there are still "suckers" in high limit games? I would think the competition only gets harder.

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:56 PM)

The competition does get much harder but there are still suckers ... whether it's business guys letting off steam or lower players trying to take a shot.

Sean, Pittsburgh, PA

Do you still play small home games with friends?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:56 PM)

I do. Not as frequently. I don't like playing a lot so I don't play as much as most others.

Trae (MIA)

AT what point in last year's tournament did you say "This thing is MINE for the taking!"

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:57 PM)

After I knocked out Johnny Chan I knew I had a chance.

Darius(Mpls)

Is the old statement, if you don't know who the sucker is at the table, it's probably you, true?

Chris Moneymaker

  (3:59 PM)

I believe that IS true. If I can't find the sucker, I get up and leave. Speaking of that.. I have to run. Thanks for all the great questions.. I'll try to come back and do this again in a couple weeks. Take care.