Greg "Fossilman" Raymer
Greg “Fossilman” Raymer (so
nicknamed because of his hobby of collective fossils)
overcame a then-record field of over 2,500 players to
win the 2004 World Series of Poker Main Event and a $5
million first prize. He’s probably most recognizable for
wearing glasses with holographic reptilian eyes to cover
his face from potential reads. He has, inevitably, been
compared to 2003 WSOP Champion Chris Moneymaker as they
both seemingly came from nowhere to win the Main Event
after qualifying through a
Poker Stars satellite. Unlike
Moneymaker, however, Raymer had previous cashed in a
WSOP event and had plenty of live poker hours under his
belt.
Raymer was born in 1964 and grew up in Lansing, Michigan
and Clearwater, Florida before graduating from the
University of Minnesota Law School in 1992. He became a
patent attorney and his work took him to Connecticut in
1999 where he began playing poker at the nearby enormous
Foxwoods Resort Casino. It was at this time that
“Fossilman” developed an internet presence from his
regularly postings on poker strategy forums.
After winning a modest prize for his efforts in a 2001
Omaha WSOP event, it took Raymer 3 more years to qualify
for the Main Event via a $160
Poker Stars satellite. The
online poker site has received a large amount of
publicity for representing 2003-2005 winners Chris
Moneymaker, Greg Raymer, and Joseph Hachem. In fact,
Poker Stars allegedly sent 25% of the total entrants in
the 2005 Main Event.
Playing an excellent week of poker in 2004, Raymer
survived past back-to-back Main Event final tables from
Dan Harrington and beat out David Williams to capture
the $5 million prize. Returning with his holographic
glasses and worldwide respect from the poker world,
Raymer came 24 players short of repeating as World
Champion in 2005. After suffering a brutal bad beat on
the river, his chip stack was crippled and he exited the
Main Event shortly thereafter with over $300,000 for his
efforts.
Well-liked by both poker fans and players, the former
patent attorney is talkative, friendly, and supportive
at the table. After being berated by Mike Matusow in the
2004 Main Event, Raymer kept his cool and later busted
out “The Mouth”. “Fossilman” has become somewhat of a
poker ambassador, welcoming interviews and public events
to promote the game. He has been an all-around
professional Champion while still remaining
down-to-earth and identifiable. In my opinion, one of
Raymer’s most noble accomplishments is being able to
stay home with his wife and daughter rather than
choosing the constant travel of the live poker
tournament circuit. I’m sure that we’ll still hear from
this pleasant WSOP Champion as he continues to show that
he wasn’t just a one-hit poker wonder..
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