Greg Raymer
2004 World Series of Poker Champion
Greg Raymer turned a life as a poker playing patent attorney into a career as one of the game's greatest ambassadors. Like fellow Team PokerStars ambassador, Chris Moneymaker, Raymer won his entry by winning a $160 double-shootout World Series of Poker qualifier on PokerStars. Greg Raymer parlayed his win into a 2004 world championship. Known worldwide as Fossilman, Raymer now circles the globe playing in the biggest tournaments he can find.
About Fossilman
Greg "Fossilman" Raymer is married with one daughter. Raymer got his nickname from the fossils he uses for card protectors while sitting at the poker table. He actually sold them for awhile to pad his bankroll in the early stages of his poker career. Raymer is easily identified at the poker table by his trademark sunglasses he wore at the 2004 WSOP. The holographic lizard eyes began as more of a joke during a big hand in the 2002 World Series of Poker, but it seemed have a desirable effect on his opponent. From then on, Raymer has worn the glasses in all the major poker tournaments he's played.
World Series of Poker
Greg "Fossilman" Raymer has played in several World Series of Poker main events as well as countless preliminary events at the WSOP. Fossilman first reached the WSOP money in 2001, placing 12th in a $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo tournament. He finished 80th out of 631 in the 2002 WSOP. Then came the 2004 World Series of Poker main event.
2004 World Series of Poker
Greg "Fossilman" Raymer was one man in the middle of a 2,576-player field in the 2004 World Series of Poker. First place in the 35th WSOP would take home a cool $5 million and would be the largest cash prize at that time in poker tournament history. Greg received his $10,000 entry into the Texas Hold'em main event by playing in a $160 double shoot-out tournament on PokerStars. Raymer worked his way through the field, coming out ahead in nearly every hand. After six days, Fossilman was sitting heads up against David Williams for the 2004 World Championship. On the winning hand, Greg held a pocket 8's against Williams' A4. With the board showing 42522--giving both players a full house--Raymer moved all-in and Williams called. Raymer emerged victorious with the higher full house. Greg Raymer's $160 satellite tournament on PokerStars turned into $5 million. PokerStars truly became a place "Where Poker Players Become World Champions".
2005 World Series of Poker
Proving Greg Raymer's 2004 win was no fluke, Fossilman set out to take on the 2005 World Series of Poker Main Event. Raymer cruised through the field again and was finally stopped short, placing 25th out of 5,619. Raymer earned a lot of well-deserved respect from his poker peers after his storybook run in 2005. Josept Hachem eventually went on to win the 2005 World Series of Poker, but Raymer took home $304,680 for his effort.
For more on Greg "Fossilman" Raymer, visit www.fossilmanpoker.com. Greg Raymer plays on PokerStars as Fossilman.
