It’s been a mad twenty-three years for poker! There have been folds that should have been wins, celebrities getting further in tournaments than anyone would have imagined possible, and a whole lot of hilarious capers on live television that, honestly, could have been sent into You’ve Been Framed. Whether you’re a poker fan, or just love a crazy story, you’re going to laugh out loud at some of these priceless poker moments. So, without further ado, here are the very best poker moments since the turn of the noughties.
Featured Image VIA
Miss Finland Destroys The Competition
First up is a Shark Cage classic, which is the show that pits poker professionals against one another for the chance to win $1,000,000, along the way they’ll have to avoid ‘the cage’ as well as grapple with the shot clock. Whilst these additions make a great extra level of interest, nobody could have possibly added the level of extra interest that Miss Finland did. Sara Chafak is a known poker player, however, she was up against Ronnie Bardah a certifiable poker genius, with a WSOP bracelet to his name already at the time of filming in 2014. Chafak’s play style confuses Bardah so much that he continues to believe her bluffs even though his hand is far better than hers. The final hand could see him win the million, but he folds, letting Miss Finland waltz to victory with a pretty poor hand. It makes for simultaneously nerve-wracking and hilarious viewing and we couldn’t get enough.
The 2003 Moneymaker Campaign
Finally, if you love a rags-to-riches tale then this is the one for you. Chris Moneymaker is one of the most famous names in poker, thanks to this very moment. He rose up the ranks by taking part in free poker tournaments and eventually gave in and paid a $40 buy-in for an online tournament. It turned out that this would be the tournament that would win him a spot at the main event at the 2003 WSOP. Chris went on to absolutely slay at the main event, winning with a full house of 4’s and 5’s. If it was in a film script then the reviewers would say it was too unbelievable, but isn’t that the beauty of Chris’s story?
Julius Caesar Arrives At The WSOP
There have been plenty of times during poker tournaments that have raised a smile from even the most serious of commentators and Phil Hellmuth has been responsible for many of them. He’s well known on the poker circuit for being outspoken and about as far from modest as possible.
One of his most quotable moments was when he quipped ‘If there weren’t luck involved, I would win every time’. Though he clearly hasn’t had a slice of humble pie for a while, you can’t fault Hellmuth’s sense of humor. For the 2009 WSOP, he arrived hours late, as in two hours after play had started.
Not only this, but he was dressed as Julius Caesar, surrounded by gladiators and women throwing rose petals over him. He had plenty to say to the press, including asking many photographers to ‘kiss his ring’.
It wasn’t the first or last time that Hellmuth had dressed up for entry to the WSOP and we sincerely hope it won’t be the last.
