Quote:
Originally Posted by ledn
Doyle
Phil Ivey
DNegs
Phil Hellmuth
Combination of results with impact. Even my grandparents know who these 4 are.
I have always thought the Moneymaker effect was a bit overrated. It was more of an ESPN effect and the way they created storylines and characters and made you care about the players. It certainly helped that a total amateur won it and let them market it as a game that anyone can win, but I think it was going to happen regardless.
I disagree. ESPN definitely was a large part of it, however it was the perfect storm. The average joe who won a ~$40 online satellite and won the event. He eliminated Johnny Chan and Phil Ivey en route to the final table. Poker could have boomed in the prior year, however Robert Varkonyi did not appear to have the charisma.
Also the name Moneymaker. You couldn't have a more marketable name (Jamie Gold aside).
This was one of the first televised poker events, even though the WPT began airing prior, that made poker interesting. Between the background stories, selective hands shown, the hole card camera and Lon and Norman's commentary, you couldn't have asked for a better production.
Last edited by davepoker; 08-19-2021 at 10:33 AM.
Reason: more info