Chris Ferguson Net Worth

What is Chris Ferguson's Net Worth?

Chris Ferguson is an American poker player who has a net worth of $20 million. Chris Ferguson earned international acclaim for winning the 2000 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event and securing five additional WSOP bracelets. Known for his mathematical, poker-theory approach, Ferguson helped revolutionize high-stakes poker. In the mid-2000s he parlayed his reputation into co-founding Full Tilt Poker—branded as a pros-led rival to PokerStars—which became a household name in online poker. However, following the U.S. government's "Black Friday" indictments in 2011, Ferguson became embroiled in a major legal controversy. Though he was never criminally charged, he settled a 2013 civil case by forfeiting millions in assets and agreeing not to work for unlicensed online gaming platforms. In recent years, Ferguson has quietly returned to live poker but remains a contentious figure in the community.

Early Life & Education

Born April 11, 1963, in Los Angeles, Chris Ferguson grew up in an academic household—both parents were mathematics Ph.D.s and his father, Thomas Ferguson, taught game theory at UCLA. Ferguson himself earned a Ph.D. in computer science from UCLA in 1999. Early on, he honed his poker skills by playing online IRC chat-room games and developed his signature quiet, analytical style at the table.

Poker Career

Ferguson launched his tournament career in the mid-1990s. His defining moment came in 2000 at the WSOP Main Event, where he beat T.J. Cloutier heads-up to win $1.5 million and his first gold bracelet. He added five more WSOP bracelets over the next 17 years, including a victory at the 2008 NBC National Heads-Up Championship. He was especially notable for cashing 168 times at the WSOP, amassing over $6.8 million from those events and more than $9.5 million in total live tournament earnings by 2020.

Poker Winnings

• Total live tournament earnings: over $9.5 million
• WSOP bracelets: 6 (including 2000 Main Event)
• WSOP cashes: 168, accounting for over $6.8 million
• Other titles: 2008 NBC National Heads-Up Championship winner

Full Tilt Poker

In June 2004, Ferguson co-founded Full Tilt Poker under TiltWare, LLC, alongside Howard Lederer, Phil Ivey, Rafe Furst, and Ray Bitar. Branded as a pro-driven platform, Full Tilt became one of the most influential sites during the poker boom, processing hundreds of millions in deposits. Ferguson helped develop its software and served as chairman of the board, merging his mathematical and technical prowess with his public persona. He was a central figure in marketing campaigns and attracted top-tier players to the site.

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Legal Case and Full Tilt Controversy

On April 15, 2011—known in the poker world as "Black Friday"—the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed indictments against Full Tilt and other poker operators. A civil complaint alleged that Ferguson and other directors ran the site as a "global Ponzi scheme," diverting player funds for personal gain. The amended lawsuit claimed Full Tilt owed approximately $390 million to players, yet only held $60 million on hand, and that Ferguson had been allocated roughly $87 million, though he ultimately received about $25 million.

In February 2013, Ferguson settled the civil case with the Southern District of New York. He forfeited an undisclosed bank account, his interest in unpaid Full Tilt distributions, and $2.35 million in additional funds, all without admitting wrongdoing. Ferguson also agreed not to work for unlicensed U.S. gaming websites. The government stated that his surrendered assets would be used to refund American Full Tilt players. A related class-action lawsuit filed by players also implicated him but was quietly resolved by early 2016.

(Photo by Kane Hibberd/Getty Images)

Real Estate

Unlike some of his Full Tilt co-founders, Ferguson did not have a flashy real estate portfolio tied to the scandal. According to contemporaneous reporting, he lived modestly in a small, new-construction Las Vegas home and did not appear to own multiple properties or extravagant residences. There are no public records or credible reports linking him to high-value real estate forfeitures, and none of his properties were listed in the DOJ's complaint or final settlement.

Recent Activity & Legacy

After laying low for several years, Ferguson returned to the WSOP in 2016, drawing a mixed reception of cheers and jeers from the poker community. In 2017, he won his sixth WSOP bracelet at the Europe series and was awarded WSOP Player of the Year. Though he has remained largely quiet in the media, his competitive performances have demonstrated that his game remains sharp.

Chris Ferguson's legacy is a study in contrasts—a brilliant, game-theory-driven poker intellect whose success was marred by the collapse of Full Tilt. Though never criminally convicted, his civil settlement and association with one of poker's biggest scandals have indelibly altered public memory. Nonetheless, his poker achievements—particularly his WSOP pedigree—remain among the most respected in the industry.

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