In 1999, Chris Ferguson got kicked out of the University of California at Los Angles.  Only 36 years old, he had spent almost half of his young life in academia, spending five years in the undergraduate program, and yet another 14 years working as a PhD candidate in computer science.  After leaving reluctantly, he traveled a mere 300 miles away and ended up defeating T.J. Cloutier at the main event in the 2000 World Series of Poker. 

But to think that Chris Ferguson just blasted onto the scene in 2000 and won because of an unbelievable amount of luck would do a grand disservice to his skill, intelligence and yes, even his years of practice.  Chris Ferguson was always playing cards, but some would say his poker career got its start in the fourth grade, when his queens lost to a heart flush, costing him 35 cents.  That made him resolve never to let that happen again. 

Over the years, Chris Ferguson earned a regular, albeit small income from the nickel and dime games he played with his friends, and eventually made a few trips to that gambling Mecca of Las Vegas, Nevada.  It should be noted that Chris Ferguson only lost two trips in over twenty-to that he maid to that dessert city. 

A few years went by, and Chris Ferguson discovered the IRC Poker Network in 1989.  This text only chat room gathered together hundreds of poker players from around the world just to play the game and deal with the egos that would come.  When he stopped playing on the IRC in the mid 1990s, he had been in the first or second position consistently for a number of years. 

By seriously applying what he knew of game theory to the game of poker, Chris Ferguson began concentrate on tournament play.  By 1996 he won a satellite into the main event at a World Series event, and he has been there ever since.  In the three years following that fateful year, Chris Ferguson would have 12 money finishes, making to the final table 7 times, but never finishing higher than fourth place.  That was, of course, until the World Series of Poker in 2000. 

In 2002, Chris Ferguson decided to return to the world of online poker, and put together a team to design software and represent Full Tilt Poker.  He continues to play a major role in the design process, hoping to give even the smallest players a great way to improve their game. 

Poker is indeed a thinking man’s game, and there is arguably no better player example of that in the world today than Chris Ferguson.  With his knowledge of cards, game theory, and his charismatic personality makes him a great player to watch and admire.