Darvin Moon biography
Darvin Moon was born on 1 October 1963 in Oakland, Maryland, a small town at the foot of Backbone Mountain, where he lived all his life. He was a self-employed logger who ran a small logging business with his family, and he taught himself to play poker.
On his third attempt he won a $130 satellite at the Wheeling Island Casino in West Virginia, earning a $10,000 seat in the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event, his first WSOP. He went into the November Nine as chip leader, eliminated players including Phil Ivey and finished 2nd to Joe Cada for $5,182,601. His humble, unassuming style made him a fan favourite on ESPN, earning him nicknames such as "Darvin Gump".
Moon later became a Heartland Poker Tour ambassador but rarely played big tournaments again. He died on 19 September 2020, aged 56, following complications from surgery.
Career summary
Maryland logger Darvin Moon qualified through a $130 satellite and finished 2nd in the 2009 WSOP Main Event for $5,182,601.
Darvin Moon poker winnings
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | WSOP Main Event | 2nd | $5,182,601 |
Verified live tournament earnings: $5,180,000+.
Darvin Moon playing style
Moon was a self-taught, instinctive player whose unconventional style carried him to the 2009 Main Event heads-up.
Business & sponsorships
Self-employed logger who ran a small family logging company in western Maryland.
Why Darvin matters
Self-taught amateur and logger Darvin Moon turned a $130 satellite into a $5.18 million payday as runner-up in the 2009 WSOP Main Event.
FAQ about Darvin Moon
How much did Darvin Moon win in the 2009 Main Event?
$5,182,601, for finishing 2nd to Joe Cada.
What did Darvin Moon do for a living?
He was a logger in western Maryland.
When did Darvin Moon die?
On 19 September 2020, aged 56.
How many WSOP bracelets does Darvin Moon have?
Darvin Moon has not won a WSOP bracelet yet.
