Chris"Jesus" Ferguson  One of the most recognizable faces in poker. He has a unique look with his long hair, beard, sunglasses, and hat. He obviously got his nickname, "Jesus".

Chris lives in Pacific Palisades, California. He does not travel the circuit as much as he used to. He attends the larger, bigger buy-in events and focuses on other interests including day trading and swing dancing. I think the two are an ironic combination: the individual competition of poker with huge amounts of concentration, and swing dancing in which you must rely on a partner and just let go of your inhibitions.

Chris won the prestigious Championship No Limit Holdem main event at the 2000 World Series of Poker. He beat another top competitor, TJ Cloutier. The final hand of the series was one that will be remembered. TJ held AQ to Ferguson's A9. The flop came 2K4 with a King on the turn. If the board paired, the pot would have been split and Ferguson would have been saved, but if the 9 came the tournament would be all over. The 9 came and Ferguson was World Champion. The A9 combination was pivotal to Chris' win twice during the tournament. The night before he won, Annie Duke lost with the A9 to Chris giving him the chips that he needed to continue in the competition.

In one interview, Chris stated that his favorite place to play was at the final table. That is the mark of a true champion. I think the combination of the desire to make it to the final table and his mathematical skills is what makes him the great player that he is today. He has earned himself five World Series of Poker titles, two of them in 2003. His titles are 2000 Seven Card Stud, 2001 Omaha High-Low, 2003 Mixed Games, 2003 Omaha High-Low, and the main event in 2000.

His other finishes at the 2003 World Series of Poker were fourth in lowball, second in Pot Limit Holdem, and sixth in Omaha High. He won the No Limit Holdem Championship event at the Winnin' O' the Green in 2004. You can play with Chris at his own table at online card room Full Tilt Poker.