Chris Moorman has spent two decades as one of the game’s greatest talents. The British pro was for a long time the winningest player in online poker history before moving to the States and focusing more on live tournaments.
The two-time WSOP bracelet winner and WPT L.A. Poker Classic champion has had a particularly great run in the last few years. In 2023, he took fourth in the WPT Championship at Wynn for $2,095,300. Incredibly, he returned a year later and got fourth again, this time for $1,150,000. Then in 2025, he finished second in the WSOP $25,000 high roller for another $1,129,608.
Now, with a Poker Hall of Fame nomination recognizing his remarkable career, Moorman reflects on the long-overdue respect for online specialists, the challenges of rebuilding after financial setbacks, and his ambitions beyond no-limit hold’em.
Online Players Age Into Hall Of Fame Consideration
Congratulations on your Poker Hall of Fame nomination! Can you believe we are finally at the time when the online pioneers are getting recognition for a lifetime achievement-style award?
Chris Moorman: Yeah, it’s pretty cool. I think it’s about time that online poker gained more recognition. Most successful poker players these days grew up playing online and without success in the online field may never have made it to the live arena.
When I first started playing online it was very new and was maybe seen as a step below live poker for various reasons, including not being able to see your opponent. But I think most people are aware of how interchangeable the games are now, and honing your game online will often result in being able to make a successful transition to live poker.
Every year, somebody suggests an Online Poker Hall of Fame, but it never quite materializes. Who would you put as a first-ballot member for such a thing?
Chris Moorman: I think for me it would have to be Niklas Astedt. (Lena900) He’s been killing it for the longest time and really is an inspiration to every online grinder. I think the main event run a few years ago really topped off his legacy, and he’d be very deserving.
American Bias In Hall Of Fame?
Do you think that being a European has potentially hampered your chances of being inducted this year? Do you agree that there’s perhaps an overly American bias in these awards?
Chris Moorman: I do think sometimes Europeans get forgotten. There are lots of European legends who haven’t really had a sniff of getting into the Poker Hall of Fame. I think often it is seen as just the WSOP Hall of Fame, and obviously not as many Europeans make the trip to play as regularly as American players.
However, if I’m not inducted in this year I won’t attribute it to that. In the future I’m looking to make myself a more well-rounded player, adding mixed game prowess to my list of accolades.
When you made your personal pitch for your Hall of Fame nomination, you mentioned how at the height of your success, your bankroll took a massive hit and you had to rebuild. Poker is littered with stories of people who didn’t have this level of humility. Tell us more about that. Did the experience improve you as a player?
Chris Moorman: 100%! I had to take a step back, look at the big picture, and go again. I tried to forget about the past and look to the future, but it was much harder than I anticipated. And it was at a time when the game was becoming significantly more difficult. Without the addition of my mind coach Stephen Simpson I’m not sure if I’d have been able to pull it off.
The Difference Between European And American Players
In more recent years, your poker career has been in the States rather than in the UK. What, in your mind, are the big differences between the two player populations? Are British players all really a bunch of nits?
Chris Moorman: I think poker in Europe tends to be a lot more aggressive whereas in America there are a lot more multiway pots. Multiway pots are still largely unsolved especially with wide ranges so I think it takes a different skill set to succeed in both.
I’ve actually not heard of all British players being nits before. I think the number of British pros has declined overall so maybe it’s just the nits who survived, but overall I’d say that statement’s a bit of a myth. My opinion on the overall British pro would be that they have a tight aggressive style. We might not enter as many pots but when we do we fight to the death for it!
You are somebody who has had a similar level of success live and online. Which one is more important to you? Which one do you want to be remembered for?
Chris Moorman: I think online is more important for me overall as it’s what I specialised in so I’ve always prioritised it. However gaining success live was a huge deal for me particularly as it was a struggle at first so it made it even more rewarding once I was able to obtain it.
A New Home In The Desert
As a British player living in the States, you must have a unique perspective on the new gambling tax introduced by Donald Trump this year. How has that affected your poker this year? It must be strange, considering you come from a country where gambling is tax-free.
Chris Moorman: Originating from a poker tax free country means that any tax changes feel like a double whammy to me but I try to remember that I have the choice to live wherever I want to in the world and Las Vegas is the place which makes me happiest so that’s the sacrifice I’ve chosen (happiness over overall net worth). Of course I’d love it to be sorted out asap and am hopeful it will be.
Now that the WSOP is over, what are you looking forward to playing on ACR in the coming months?
Chris Moorman: There are so many big things coming up on ACR Poker in the next few months. The Venom mystery bounty is the biggest and best structure out there. I have a lot of experience in mystery bounties so I fancy my chances in that. Would love to pull the $500k bounty.
I also really enjoy playing huge field phases and there are a couple of big ones coming up. Firstly there is a $66 $1 million guaranteed mystery bounty which is a great chance to win a big prize for a small investment. Also to celebrate 25 years of ACR they are running a special $250 $2.5 million tournament that may have a significant overlay and will be likely over $500k up top.
- Photos by Card Player, PokerGO, and World Poker Tour
