Greg Raymer

Grey Raymer Profile
	Nickname: Fossilman Pokerstars Name: Fossilman Web: www.pokerstars.com Birthdate: March 28th 1977 Birthplace: Riverside, California Residence: Ventura, California Tournaments Won: 20 WSOP Bracelets: 5 Total Winnings: $9,079,706

The final heads-up of the 2004 WSOP Texas Hold’em world championship saw Greg Raymer pitted against Paul Williams. Raymer looked calm and impassive if a little unusual. He was wearing lizard-eye 3D hologram glasses which he had started wearing two years earlier, partly as a joke during a big hand in a 2002 tournament. They have been a fixture on his face in major tournaments since then and you might say they have become Raymer’s trademark. As a former patent attorney, Greg would probably have to point out he doesn’t own the rights to them as they’re just cheap comedy glasses purchased from Disneyworld. That and poker games worth $5million are no joking matter. 

Greg first encountered poker at college where he played against friends for nickels and dimes. It wasn’t until he moved to Connecticut in 1999, working as a patent lawyer for a pharmaceutical company, that his game moved up a gear. Not only did he acquire valuable tournament practice at Foxwoods Casino but a nickname too. As a collector of fossils, Raymer would bring a specimen from his collection to use as a card protector and he soon began to be known as the ‘Fossilman.’ Alongside his fondness of relics, Greg dedicated himself to a quest for poker knowledge and regards David Sklansky's book, "The Theory of Poker" as his most important influence. He was also very active in internet poker newsgroups and discussion forums which helped inform his play and thoroughly prepare him for what was to come. In 2001, Raymer entered the WSOP Limit Omaha Hi/lo event and came a creditable twelfth and following that up with two final table finishes in the WPT World Poker Finals in his favoured game of No Limit Hold’em in the subsequent year.

Although Greg won his place in the 2004 WSOP online through Pokerstars.com, he had been intending to enter the event anyway. He played solidly and had remained focused throughout the week and won through to the final table. He admits to a couple of lucky breaks during the final day including hitting a ten on the flop when playing a pair of tens against a pair of aces and getting a river queen high straight when playing and A♠ 10♦ versus A♦ K♣. In consecutive hands, he knocked out Mike McClain and Mattias Andersson respectively. Raymar exuded a calm poise throughout the final hand, as well he might with a pocket pair of 8♠ 8♦. Williams was betting with an ever-dwindling chip stack and must have felt quietly confident when his A♥ 4♠ became a pair of fours with a flop of 4♦ 2♦ 5♠. Raymer checked then re-raised William’s bet, his voice clear and steady as he announced his intentions. A 2♥ followed with a 2♣ on the river. Both men had full houses but Raymer’s was higher and he quickly announced ‘All in.’ Williams called and shrugged his shoulders as the cards were turned and Raymer let out a loud yell, his fists raised above his head. He stood up, threw his glasses onto the baize, his green lizard stare replaced by smiling eyes.

Any lingering doubts people may have had that Raymer had just got lucky in 2004 were quashed the following year when he followed up his triumph with an admirable 25th place finish. He has won over many fans with his approachable affability and despite not playing so many tournaments as many of his fellow professionals, preferring to spend time with his wife Cheryl and daughter Sophie, he fares well when he is involved. He still regularly contributes in internet discussion forums, happy to advise and share his knowledge. Greg has also managed to thwart two armed robbers, remaining unscathed in the attack and has visited Congress to voice his opinions against the unpopular Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 though Capitol Hill left him less than impressed. As the adage goes ‘If you want something doing…’ and Greg is doing just that, looking to enter politics in the future. He has even had talks with the Libertarian party to stand as their official candidate for Vice President of the United States though he’ll have to wait a few years yet. 

You can play online poker with Greg Raymer at Pokerstars.

Greg Raymer WSOP Tournaments & Top Ten Finishes
	Event* Date Position Winnings 38th Annual WSOP Event 39 – WSOP HORSE World Championship Jun 24th 2007 14th $103,008 38th Annual WSOP Event 20 – WSOP 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo Jun 11th 2007 4th $41,460 38th Annual WSOP Event 14 – WSOP 7 Card Stud Jun 8th 2007 6th $19,680 38th Annual WSOP Event 3 – WSOP Jun 2nd 2007 131st $4,706 37th Annual WSOP Event 38 – WSOP Deuce to Seven Lowball Jul 25th 2006 5th $93,124 37th Annual WSOP Event 2 – WSOP Jun 27th 2006 63rd $7,578 World Masters  - EPT/PokerStars Season 2 Pot Limit Omaha Hi/Lo Sep 27th 2005 6th $3,037 36th Annual WSOP Event 42 – WSOP World Championship Jul 15th 2005 25th $304,680 36th Annual WSOP Event 22 – WSOP Jun 22nd 2005 6th $119,450 36th Annual WSOP Event 2 – WSOP Jun 3rd 2005 86th $3,975 35th Annual WSOP WSOP World Championship May 28th 2004 1st $5,000,000 FARGO Sep 18th 2003 1st $1,248 World Poker Finals Event 14 – WPT Season 1 Nov 9th 2002 9th $3,700 World Poker Finals Event 1 – WPT Season 1 Oct 27th 2002 3rd $12,654 New England poker Classic 2001 Event 4 – Limit 7 Card Stud Mar 31st 2001 1st $25,560 World Poker Finals Event 16 Nov 19th 2000 3rd $48,960

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