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2000 WSOP Main Event

Chris and eight others battled through a then record field of 512 to reach the final table of the main event of the 2000 WSOP. Much of the action that took place in and around this World Series is chronicled by Jim McManus, the fifth place finish, in his book "Positively Fifth Street." McManus' book was based on an article he wrote for Harper's which shifted radically from a report on Ted Binion and the emergence of women at the World Series of Poker to an insider's look at the final table when McManus surprisingly turned a satellite victory into a seat at the final table.

Tough match against T.J. Cloutier

At the time, Ferguson probably paid little note to Jim McManus and the book he would be writing. In all likelihood, he was focused on the odds on favorite to win the event, one T.J. Cloutier. Cloutier was well known as one of the most successful tournament poker players in the world, with multiple cashes and millions of dollars in tournament winnings to his credit. Cloutier had finished second in 1985 and fifth in 1988 in the WSOP main event, and even though Ferguson had him out-chipped going into the final table, many poker analysts were looking at Cloutier to take the title.

He very nearly did. As Ferguson took control, eliminating Captain Tom Franklin in eighth place, outdrawing Jeff Shulman with 66 vs. 77 and then finishing him off with AA vs. KK, Cloutier hung back, waiting for his opportunity. After Steve Kaufman eliminated McManus and was then knocked out himself, it was down to Ferguson and Cloutier.

Jesus Wins on a Bad Beat

Although Ferguson had a ten to one chip lead to start their heads up match, he couldn't seem to put Cloutier away. After losing and then regaining the chip lead, Ferguson decided that the longer the match went on, the more likely it was that Cloutier would outplay him, and that he would have to take a stand. When Cloutier moved all his chips in while Ferguson held A9, Chris decided it was time. He made the call, no doubt crestfallen by his mistake as Cloutier turned up AQ. He was surely not nearly as crestfallen as Cloutier was however, when the nine of hearts appeared on the river, snatching the championship away from a masterful T.J. Cloutier and giving it to Chris Ferguson.

Ferguson may not have been proud of winning the final hand on a bad beat, but he knew he had earned his right to get lucky, and would go on to prove that his win was no fluke, but a great WSOP moment in a storied career.

Ferguson's WSOP Titles:

2000: $2,500 7 Card Stud - $151,000
2000: $10,000 No Limit Texas Hold'em World Championship - $1,500,000
2001: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo Split Eight or Better - $164,735
2003: $2,000 Omaha Hi-Lo Split - $123,680
2003: $2,000 1/2 Limit Hold'em - 1/2 Seven Card Stud - $66,220

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