Written by :
Thomas Somach
Published on :
LAS VEGAS — Professional poker players headed to the World Series of Poker here next month are offering their support to fellow poker pro Chris Moneymaker, who recently announced he will not be attending this year‘s WSOP out of concerns of contracting Covid.
Moneymaker, who won the WSOP Main Event in 2003, last week tweeted: “Really hate it but canceled my trip to El Paso and Vegas for the WSOP. My 9-year-old can’t be vaccinated and I do not want to bring the virus home to him.”
Moneymaker’s son suffers from asthma and a weakened immune system, thus contracting Covid could be devastating.
In an exclusive interview with Gambling 911, Moneymaker said: “I was gutted not to be going, especially after missing it last year. Ultimately, some things are more important than money.”
Greg “Fossilman” Raymer, who won the WSOP Main Event the year after Moneymaker did, is one of those pros who is supporting Moneymaker‘s decision to sit out this year‘s WSOP.
“Chris is taking care of his family,” Raymer told Gambling 911 in an exclusive interview. “It’s a very admirable decision.”
Another poker pro supporting Moneymaker is Vanessa Kade, who recently won $1.5 million in a major online poker tournament.
In an exclusive interview with Gambling 911, she said: “I think it’s admirable that he is choosing to forego the WSOP for the safety of his family.”
Another pro who has previously collected WSOP hardware is Allyn Jaffrey Shulman.
In an exclusive interview with Gambling 911, she said: “I completely understand Chris choosing not to play.”
Her husband, Barry Shulman, also a poker pro, has also won WSOP hardware.
He and Allyn are the only married couple who have each won WSOP bracelets.
He told Gambling 911 in exclusive interview: “Moneymaker certainly can do as he chooses. I think it’s a shame that unvaccinated people are allowed anywhere in public.”
So might there be a silver lining in all this for Moneymaker, who lives in Mississippi?
The WSOP, after all, will be holding at least one online tournament as part of this year‘s festivities.
Would Moneymaker be participating in that?
“WSOP (legal online poker) is not offered in my state,” Moneymaker said. “I will not participate in any events.“
By Tom Somach
Gambling 911 Chief Correspondent
