Obituary
American Amateur Poker, Darvin Moon Has Passed Away

American self-employed logger and amateur poker player who was the runner-up of the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) US$10,000 no-limit Texas hold’em Main Event, Darvin Moon is dead. Darvin Moon lost his life today following complications from surgery. He died at the age of 56.
His death was announced by his friend, Todd Anderson who poured his heartfelt condolences to the family of Darvin.
Using his official Facebook page he wrote – The best person I ever met through poker Darvin Moon. A man of integrity and honour. A quite possibly the most interesting person I have ever known. Truly. He and his wife became good friends. Sadly, Darvin succumbed to complications from surgery today. He will be missed.
Who Is Darvin Moon
Born October 1, 1963, Darvin was a self-employed logger and amateur poker player who was the runner-up of the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) US$10,000 no-limit Texas hold’em Main Event. It was his first time playing in the World Series of Poker. Moon, who taught himself how to play poker, ran a small logging company in the Maryland Panhandle before earning a 2009 World Series seat by winning a $130 satellite tournament.
Darvin Moon’s Poker Career Success
Darvin Moon, a Maryland logger who taught himself poker and made it to the World Series of Poker $10,000 Main Event after winning a $130 satellite, has died at the age of 56.
He earned the chip lead early in the tournament, and eventually entered the final table as the chip leader, with about 30 percent of the chips in play. Although Moon briefly lost the lead, he eventually regained it after eliminating veteran players like Steve Begleiter and Phil Ivey. Moon ultimately lost heads up against Joe Cada, earning Moon US$5.18 million for his second-place finish.
Moon earned his seat in the 2009 World Series of Poker no-limit Texas hold’em Main Event by winning a $130 satellite tournament at the Wheeling Island Casino in Wheeling, West Virginia.
He lost in two Wheeling Island tournaments before finishing in first place on his third attempt, winning a $10,000 main event seat and $6,000 for expenses. The event marked Moon’s first time playing in the WSOP, as well as visiting Las Vegas, Nevada and riding in a commercial plane.
Due to the poor economy’s impact on the logging business, Moon considered keeping the $10,000 instead of entering the tournament, but decided to play after visiting the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino and watching World Series games there.
What Cauesd Darvin Moon’s Death
Moon‘s death is attributed to complications that were incurred during a surgical procedure. Moon surprised the poker world in 2009 by reaching the Final Table of the Main Event at the World Series of Poker with the largest chip stack. Moon would go on to take 2nd place in the event, winning more than $5.1 million, having beaten out numerous professional players.
In a statement, the World Series of Poker said “Thanks for the memories, Darvin Moon. You inspired so many people and starred in one of the most memorable final tables in WSOP history. We will never forget. Rest In Peace.”
Few Things You Need To Know About Darvin Moon
Darvin Moon was an American self-employed logger and amateur poker player.
Prior to entering the World Series of Poker, Moon lived in a 14 by 70 feet (4.3 by 21.3 m) trailer with his wife, Wendy.
Moon owns and operates a small logging company with other family members. Most of his days were spent in pine forests scattered throughout the Maryland Panhandle.
Moon taught himself how to play poker, and he first started playing with his grandfather at a young age.
He started playing frequently around 2006 and studied the game by watching televised poker. Moon regularly played home games at such places as fire departments, Elks Lodges and American Legion buildings
Tributes Floods…
Oh no! What a cool dude. I know that in the end it has to be about money a little bit but I truly believe he was in it for the passion and love for poker. The whole way through he acted like he didn’t give two shits about the money. It was like he was just having fun out there.
— oknative (@oknative88) September 20, 2020
Moon was a large part of why the 2009 main event was one of the most memorable in history. RIP
— Jeff McMillan (@j_j_j_t_m) September 20, 2020
Darvin was a cool dude. This was a year or two after his final table of the ME. We final tabled a $240 tournament in WV. We got it all in my JJ vs his KQ with about 7 people left and I flopped quads. He was so cool and nice enough to take this picture with me. Rest In Peace pic.twitter.com/7RiJ8dbQ4N
— Sam Coe (@SamCoe2AppSt) September 20, 2020
I remember this night court side after flying in to Sacramento for the game you had me playing $10k flips of a bottle cap on the hardwood https://t.co/doniBxaxxM
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) September 19, 2020
Rest In Peace RBG, an inspiration for me (and I’m sure millions of other women) during law school for being brilliant and strong. This is truly the worst year, it’s surreal.
— Jamie Kerstetter (@JamieKerstetter) September 18, 2020
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