More than 20 years after changing poker forever, Chris Moneymaker is proving he can still compete with the game’s elite.
Moneymaker Finding The Winner’s Circle
The poker legend captured the Phil’s Thrill PKO title at ACR Poker last Sunday before immediately carrying that momentum into the OSS #2 $1.5 Million Guaranteed Main Event, where he finished Day 1A as the overall chip leader heading into Day 2.
With the poker world once again turning its attention toward the World Series of Poker and ESPN’s renewed coverage of major events, the ACR Poker Pro’s latest performances serve as a reminder that one of poker’s most influential figures is still making headlines.
Moneymaker’s victory in the Phil’s Thrill PKO came in one of online poker’s toughest high roller events. The tournament featured a $10,300 buy-in and generated a $580,000 prize pool across 58 entries packed with elite competition.
After navigating the difficult field, Moneymaker secured the title along with more than $191,000 in combined prize money and bounties.
The win showcased the aggressive tournament style that helped make Moneymaker a household name during his historic 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event run.
Pretty solid day. Winning the @ACR_POKER phils thrill and bagging chip lead in 1k OSS event pic.twitter.com/ulJshDU1Fs
— Chris Moneymaker (@CMONEYMAKER) May 18, 2026
OSS Main Event Run Continues
Rather than slowing down after the victory, Moneymaker quickly shifted his focus to the OSS #2 $1.5 Million GTD Main Event, one of the marquee tournaments in the $20 Million Online Super Series running May 11th–25th.
The $1,050 buy-in event attracted a massive field of 827 entries, but once again Moneymaker rose to the top. By the end of Day 1A, he held the overall chip lead with a stack worth 185 big blinds, putting himself in prime position for another major title run. First place in the event will pay at least $300,000.
Moneymaker’s continued success is especially impressive given how dramatically poker has evolved since his 2003 WSOP Main Event victory. In an era of increasingly tough competition, he has continued to adapt while finding success against some of the game’s best players.
The Moneymaker Effect Still Resonates
Moneymaker’s Main Event victory over two decades ago remains one of the most important moments in poker history. After qualifying online through a small satellite tournament, Moneymaker turned that opportunity into a world championship and sparked the global poker boom famously known as the “Moneymaker Effect.”
Now, with another summer of major poker events approaching, Moneymaker is once again reminding fans why his name remains one of the biggest in the game.
About ACR Poker
ACR Poker has been a leader in online poker since 2001, serving players across the U.S., Latin America, and beyond.
The online poker site is renowned for its massive tournament guarantees and innovative formats. ACR also has a rewarding loyalty program that includes rakeback, reload bonuses, and leaderboard races.
