WSOP Profile Greg Raymer

01-18-07, LearnTexasHoldem:

Greg Raymer is the man with the reptilian eyes. He collects fossils and brings them to the table to protect his cards; early in his career he even used them as part of his bankroll in cash games. Sporting his holographic sunglasses, Raymer is a sight to behold upon a first viewing, but his image is based soley on personal interests and superstition; although his behavior could sometimes be considered odd, he doesn't really think he's a dinosaur.

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2004 WSOP Champion

He made his first mark on the World Series of Poker in 2001 when he finished in the money in the $1,500 Omaha Hi/Lo Split event that was eventually won by the ever popular Chris "Jesus" Ferguson. After getting an initial taste of WSOPsuccess, Raymer worked towards a main event entry. In 2004, he would qualify through an online tournament and set the stage to become the $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event champion. With his fossils on the table and his glasses reflecting the flash bulbs, he smiled as he etched his place into poker history with a prize of 5 million dollars.

25th in 2005 Main Event

The next year would solidfy Raymer's place in the contemporary poker world when he would finish 25th in the $10,000 WSOP No-Limit Main Event. With the growing number of entries on a yearly basis, there may never be another player to win in back to back years; finishing 25th out of 5,619 competitors was a feat no one expected, and may be the closest any player may ever come again to winning back to back main event championships. He added another $304,680 to his WSOP winnings, and gained the respect of every player that believed him to be a one and done WSOP champion.

Born in North Dakota

Raymer was born in North Dakota and lived in several places before his family finally settled in St. Louis, MO, where he graduated from Parkway West High. He enrolled in the prestigious engineering and science school, the University of Missouri-Rolla, where he would major in chemistry. After completing his undergraduate work, he moved to Minnesota to pursue a degree in law. Specializing in patent-law, Raymer was presented with a huge career opportunity in Connecticuit, working for the pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer. While living on the east coast, he began spending much of his free time developing his poker game at Foxwoods Resort Casino.