Greg Raymer
| File:Greg Raymer-Fossilman.jpg Greg Raymer at the conclusion of the 2004 World Series of Poker | |
| Nickname(s) | Fossilman |
|---|---|
| Hometown | Raleigh, North Carolina |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Bracelet(s) | 1 |
| Money finishes | 6 |
| Highest ITM main event finish | Winner (2004) |
| World Poker Tour | |
| Titles | None |
| Final tables | None |
| Money Finishes | 2 |
Gregory (Greg) P. "Fossilman" Raymer (born 1964 in Minot, North Dakota) is a professional poker player. He is best known for winning the 2004 World Series of Poker main event, and for the opaque holographic sunglasses that he wears during hands.
Life before poker
Raymer moved to Lansing, Michigan when he was a few months old, then moved to Clearwater, Florida at the age of 11. After graduating from high school in St. Louis, he majored in chemistry at the University of Missouri - Rolla, where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. He graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1992. He practiced as a patent attorney for more than a decade, but no longer works as a lawyer.
Poker career
After moving to Stonington, Connecticut in 1999, Raymer began playing poker at Foxwoods Resort Casino while he was working as a patent lawyer for a pharmaceutical company.
Raymer first finished in the money of a World Series of Poker (WSOP) event during 2001 in the $1,500 Omaha hi-lo split 8 or better event won by Chris "Jesus" Ferguson. The next year he could be seen in the background as Robert Varkonyi celebrated after winning the main event at the 2002 World Series of Poker.
At the 2004 World Series, Raymer defeated David Williams to win the $5,000,000 first prize in the $10,000 no limit Texas hold 'em WSOP main event. (In the final hand, Raymer's 8♠ 8♦ defeated Williams' A♥ 4♠.) Raymer received the entry fee to the tournament by winning a $160 satellite event on PokerStars, just like the 2003 winner, Chris Moneymaker. Raymer is now a representative of PokerStars, alongside Moneymaker and the 2005 World Series of Poker champion Joseph Hachem.
Raymer went on to finish in 25th place (out of 5,619 entrants) in the 2005 WSOP Main Event, earning him $304,680. This has been described by his peers as one of the most incredible achievements in poker, considering the rapidly increasing field of players in the Main Event every year. He lost nearly all his chips in an all-in on the turn, despite then being a 4:1 favorite to win the hand against Aaron Kanter. (Raymer's K♦ K♥ lost to Kanter's Q♥ J♥.)
Raymer is currently appearing in Poker Superstars III.
As of 2005, his total live tournament winnings execeed $5,600,000
In March 2006, Raymer (as "Fossilman") took 2nd place in the first quarterly $1,000,000 guaranteed tournament on PokerStars, winning over $180,000 in a field of over 1500 tournament players.
Character and personality
Raymer is nicknamed "Fossilman" because of his hobby of collecting fossils. He uses a small fossil as a card protector while he plays poker. Early in his poker career he would supplement his bankroll by selling fossils to other players at his table.
Aside from the World Series, Raymer plays few tournaments, choosing to spend time with his wife Cheryl and daughter Sophie instead of immersing himself in the poker circuit and the constant travel it requires.
Aside from quickly becoming one of the most feared no limit hold 'em players in the world, Raymer has also gained a reputation for being extremely friendly and a good conversationalist.
Raymer stated that he was allergic to alcohol during his appearance on the European Poker Tour.
In 2005 he appeared on the chat show Heads Up with Richard Herring to discuss his life, career and his love of poker.
In November 2005, Raymer and his family relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina.