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Nicknamed “Jesus” for the long hair and beard, Chris Ferguson’s estimated net worth of $80 million places him comfortably as one of the richest poker players in the world.
The high net worth is mired in controversy, however, and many in the poker community see Chris Ferguson as a villain.
Let’s dig into his story.
Chris Ferguson Poker – Origins
Chris Ferguson learnt how to play poker at age 10 and continued developing his skills through online IRC poker rooms during college.
He earned a Ph.D. in computer science from UCLA, where his research focused on virtual network algorithms. His father was a professor of game theory at the same university.
His academic background and early exposure to game theory likely had a significant impact on the analytical style he later brought to professional poker.
2000 WSOP Main Event
In 2000, Ferguson won the World Series of Poker Main Event, defeating T.J. Cloutier heads-up and earning a first-place prize of $1.5 million.
Throughout his career, Chris has won six WSOP bracelets and recorded more than 160 money finishes.
This record makes him one of the most decorated players in the tournament's history – and possibly one of the greatest poker players of all time.
Poker After Dark
During the mid-2000s poker boom, Chris Ferguson was a regular presence on Poker After Dark, a televised series featuring high-stakes No-Limit Hold’em games among top professionals.
Known for his calm demeanour and trademark hat and sunglasses, Ferguson appeared in multiple episodes across the show’s early seasons, often competing against other Full Tilt pros.
His appearances helped solidify his public image as a composed and analytical player. He was part of the show’s core lineup before stepping away from televised poker following the Full Tilt scandal in 2011.
A memorable poker hand was Ferguson’s triple barrel bluff with 72o against Mike Matusow. After Matusow mocked Ferguson for not wanting to play the “seven-deuce game,”
Ferguson fired multiple barrels with 72 on an A♥️Q♠️10♥️ board despite having no equity.
Matusow held A♠️8♠️ and called down, eventually winning the hand — but the poker bluff attempt became one of Ferguson’s more talked about plays.
Phil Hellmuth was not so lucky when Ferguson put this insane bad beat on him, cracking Phil’s wheel straight with a rivered full house!
Full Tilt Scandal
Ferguson co-founded Full Tilt Poker in 2004, serving as both a prominent spokesperson and a key stakeholder in the company.
On April 15, 2011 — a date that poker players refer to as “Black Friday” — the U.S. DOJ (Department of Justice) seized Full Tilt Poker’s assets along with player bankrolls.
The DOJ accused Full Tilt Poker of operating a “Ponzi scheme” by misusing player funds while distributing over $400 million to owners and executives.
As part of a 2013 settlement with the DOJ, Ferguson agreed to forfeit $2.3 million and relinquish any claims to additional funds associated with the company. He did not admit wrongdoing at any point.
Return to Action
Ferguson returned to live tournament play in 2016, appearing at the World Series of Poker after a five-year absence.
His reappearance drew criticism from many in the poker community, who felt he had not adequately addressed his role in the Full Tilt disgrace. This incident eclipses any poker cheat sheet scandal!
Despite the backlash, Ferguson continued to compete regularly over the next two years. In 2018, he released a 42-second apology video on Vimeo, which was widely viewed as insufficient by players and commentators.
While he has remained active in select events, his reputation within the poker world remains divided.
Having refused to speak since the events of Black Friday, Chris Ferguson finally found the time to apologize for his role in the Full Tilt Poker scandal as this year’s 2018 World Series of Poker approached. It's @PokerNews' No. 8 story of the year. https://t.co/8tAPRnW4Rq pic.twitter.com/i8OfLojYRr
— Chad Holloway (@ChadAHolloway) December 26, 2018
Chris Ferguson – Poker Player of the Year 2017
In 2017, Chris Ferguson was named World Series of Poker Player of the Year after recording a record 23 cashes across the WSOP and WSOP Europe events.
His results included one bracelet win and a total of $496,343 in earnings.
The award was based on a points system that rewards consistency over the number of events played rather than the size of winnings or depth of finishes.
While Ferguson accumulated more points than any other player, some in the poker community questioned the merit of the title, noting that many of his cashes came from lower buy-in events without deep runs or major victories.
Chris Ferguson Poker - Net Worth
Despite earning over $6.8 million in live tournaments, this figure accounts for only a small portion of Ferguson’s estimated $80 million net worth.
There are no publicly confirmed business ventures outside of poker that explain the remainder of his wealth.
Given his ownership stake and senior role in Full Tilt Poker during its most profitable years, we can only assume that this is the primary source of his net worth.
Personal Life
Chris Ferguson has kept a low public profile in recent years. He resides in Pacific Palisades, California, and has largely avoided media appearances outside of poker events.
Publicly available information about his personal life is sparse. He has not shared details regarding family, relationships, or activities outside of poker.
Since his return to the tournament scene in 2016, Ferguson has remained focused on live events but has not engaged in broader public commentary or interviews beyond his brief 2018 apology video. His current lifestyle and pursuits remain largely private.
Unique Party Trick – Card Slicing
Outside of poker, Chris Ferguson gained attention for a distinctive party trick involving playing cards.
Demonstrated in televised segments and online videos, the routine involved slicing vegetables—most notably carrots—by throwing standard playing cards with speed and accuracy.
In one widely shared clip, he cuts through multiple carrots in succession, a performance that became a recognisable part of his public image during the peak of his poker career.
Chris Ferguson Net Worth - Summary
Chris Ferguson remains one of poker’s most polarising figures.
- With an academic background in computer science and a long list of tournament achievements, he built a reputation as a disciplined and analytical player.
- His co-founding of Full Tilt Poker contributed significantly to his estimated $80 million net worth but also linked him to one of the industry’s most damaging scandals.
Despite returning to live tournaments and earning WSOP Player of the Year in 2017, his legacy remains clouded by the events surrounding Black Friday.
While he continues to compete occasionally, Ferguson’s high net worth and ongoing presence in the game continue to generate debate about his place in poker history.
