World Series: Moneymaker Tumbles Out at First Round
Defending champion falls at first hurdle
Wednesday 26th May 2004
Defending World Series of Poker Champion, Chris Moneymaker, has failed to live up to his name this year after losing all his chips just three hours into the tournament. The champ was philosophical after losing everything to an opponent who laid down one of only two cards that could have beaten him, declaring afterwards, ‘You have to catch those breaks to win tournaments.'
Moneymaker came from nowhere last year to win the title and a cool $2.5 million after qualifying on the Internet. His shock defeat really brings home the complete unpredictability of this sport, and increases the feeling that this year’s winner might just be hidden amongst the ranks of unknown Internet qualifiers. As Matt Savage, World Series co-director, said this week, ‘It’s Everyman’s tournament.’ Or should that be ‘anyone’s’?
Defending World Series of Poker Champion, Chris Moneymaker, has failed to live up to his name this year after losing all his chips just three hours into the tournament. The champ was philosophical after losing everything to an opponent who laid down one of only two cards that could have beaten him, declaring afterwards, ‘You have to catch those breaks to win tournaments.'