Credit: @cmoneym21 on Instagram
For many Americans, wrestling is a popular pastime and formative foray into athletics. So much so that a recent Statista report states that over 300,000 youngsters are currently involved in wrestling. This marks the highest level of participation in the past decade. Given the tenacity that wrestling imparts, it’s no surprise that many of the most successful people on the planet once grappled as wrestlers, too.
In a previous article, we discussed one such personality: three-division world boxing champion Terence Crawford. Whether it’s for local or international matches, Crawford can credit wrestling with teaching him discipline, determination, and a never-give-up attitude. On that note, one other benefit that wrestling often teaches participants is a keen mind for strategy. This is one wrestling lesson that has, perhaps, been best utilized by none other than former wrestler and now-poker icon Chris Moneymaker, who’s made a name for himself as one of the most notable names in the world of poker.
Credit: @ACR_POKER on X
A poker star’s history with wrestling
Although it’s not a well-known part of his lore, Moneymaker was actually a part of his high school wrestling team. This is an anecdote he shared for Never Give Up Day in 2021 on the Americas Cardroom blog as one of his first forays as an ambassador for the site. Fans will remember that 2021 was also the year that Moneymaker officially signed on to be a part of the online poker provider’s pro team. Also called ACR Poker, the site is the number one online poker provider in the US. Since its establishment in 2001, it’s been celebrated for its tech innovations, huge tourneys, and high-profile roster. This includes Moneymaker, who makes for a fitting endorser for this digital platform, given that he’s also best known for his online poker achievements.
In his entry for the blog, The Big Blind Blog, Moneymaker shared that he was originally a soccer player but turned to wrestling because he was more interested in physical sports. Unfortunately, at the time, he was the only wrestler on his team below 119lbs., meaning he often had to train and compete against others with a significant weight advantage. In his first year, this meant a significant losing streak. This didn’t deter the young Moneymaker, though, as he decided to participate in summer wrestling camps instead. Through this, he was able to pick up key techniques and strategies that helped him fine-tune his performance. Soon after, he was able to nab his first win.
Credit: @cmoneym21 on Instagram
How wrestling learnings shaped Moneymaker
While Moneymaker didn’t pursue his wrestling for very long, he certainly carried the wisdom he picked up from it into his adult endeavors. Most notably, the accountant-turned-poker star used his drive amid adversity to his advantage when he entered the professional poker circuit. Back in 2003, this mindset is what helped him become the first person to win big at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) after qualifying through online means. This was amid stiff competition from other more established poker personalities who had the experience and financial backing.
Since then, Moneymaker has continued to be one of the biggest poker influencers. As a poker pro for ACR, he’s helped keep the poker industry thriving. This includes not only championing the legalization of online poker but also introducing his own series of poker events. Aptly called The Moneymaker Tour, these branded tournaments, with their various price points for all levels across local and regional locations, aim to encourage more people to play poker. And so, while Moneymaker’s fame and fortune may not be attributed to his wrestling, it may be fair to say that his success on the felt actually started with the lessons he learned on the mat.
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Written by: Edward Hall