Chris Ferguson

Nickname: Jesus
Residence: Pacific Palisades, CA, United States
In the Money: 97
Total Winnings: $5.464.969
Tournament Victories: 9
WSOP Bracelets: 5

Chris Ferguson was born on the 11^th of April 1963 in Los Angeles, California. His parents, both doctors of mathematics, introduced him to poker at an early age. His father, Thomas Feguson, taught game theory.

It took a while though, until Chris began his poker career. In 1981 at the age of 18 he began studying at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). He studied computer science with a focus in artificial intelligence.

He graduated in 1986. He left the university 13 years later in 1999 with a doctorate in computer science. Dr. Leonard Kleinrock was his mentor at the time. His "Queing Theory" laid the foundation for the technology of the internet.

During his studies he uncovered the world of online poker. Even in 1989, poker could be played over IRC (internet relay chat), albeit only for playmoney. He started his career as a tournament player in 1994. He played in small tournaments in the greater Los Angeles area.

Ferguson on his decision to primarily play tournament games:



"[...]I decided to primarily play tournaments because I felt that the competition in

them would be the greatest. I figure that the best way to learn to play better is to play

against the top players - I learn best by playing against the best."


In 1995 he attended his first WSOP event but failed to win one of the coveted bracelets. In 2000 Ferguson won the $2500 Seven Card Stud Tournament, bringing him 151000 dollars. Before this he had never made it into the top 3 of such a tournament, even though he had been at the final table 6 times.

This victory enabled him to take part in the WSOP no-limit main event with a buy-in of $10000. He won this tournament too heads-up against T.J. Cloutier with a hand to which an entire book was dedicated (James McManus - "Positively Fifth Street").

Ferguson held A9 against Cloutier's AQ. The flop consisted of a 2, a king and a 4 - another king followed on the turn. The 9 on the river made Ferguson 1.5 million dollars richer and brought him his second WSOP bracelet in the span of one year.

But he didn't stop with just these two successes. In 2001 he won the $1500 Omaha Hi-Lo Split Eight or Better event with a prize of 164735 dollars. In 2003 he again triumphed twice; once in the $2.000 Omaha Hi-Lo Split Eight or Better Event for 123680 dollars and in the $2.000 ½ Limit Hold'em - ½ Seven Card Stud Turnier for 66220 dollars in prizemoney.

In 2005 and 2006 he was runner up in the National Heads-Up Poker Championship. In 2005 he defeated Phil Hellmuth Jr., however in 2006 he was beaten by Ted Forrest.

Because of his long hair and beard Ferguson is also known as "Jesus." He wears the cowboy purely as part of his poker playing image. He doesn't want to look like a professor at the poker table. He says that he is often underestimated because of his hat. Ferguson is known for his extravagant hobby, swing dancing - he leads a swing dance club at the UCLA. He can also split a carrot or banana with a thrown playing card.

Even though he never made poker his main career, Chris Ferguson is one of the most successful poker players. His total winnings are over 5.4 million dollars, with 4 million of that coming from WSOP tournaments (as of 2006).