Greg “Fossilman” Raymer (so nicknamed because of his hobby of collecting 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 PokerStars satellite. Unlike Moneymaker, however, Raymer had previously cashed in a WSOP event and had plenty of live poker hours under his belt.
From 2003 to 2005, three consecutive WSOP Main Event champions — Chris Moneymaker, Greg Raymer, and Joseph Hachem — all qualified through PokerStars satellites. This unprecedented streak turned PokerStars into the dominant force in online poker and proved that satellite qualifiers could compete with the best.
From Patent Attorney to Poker Champion
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 regular 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 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.
Raymer qualified for the 2004 WSOP Main Event through a $160 satellite on PokerStars. He then outlasted over 2,500 players — a record field at the time — to win $5 million. The total return on investment: over 31,000x his buy-in.
The 2004 Main Event
Playing an excellent week of poker in 2004, Raymer outlasted the 1995 Main Event winner Dan Harrington, who was making a back-to-back final table appearance (finished 3rd in 2003) and eventually outplayed 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 defending his World Champion title 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.
Unlike many Main Event winners who dove into the full-time tournament circuit, Raymer chose to stay home with his wife and daughter. In a game that rewards relentless travel and grinding, choosing family over fame is one of his most admirable decisions.
Life After the Main Event
Raymer’s achievements on the felt led to him becoming a part of the original PokerStars Team of WSOP champions. He had been the part of the team up to 2011, when his sponsorship contract was discontinued.
Apart from his 2004 Main Event victory, his most notable accomplishment was finishing 3rd in the $40,000 2009 WSOP 40th Anniversary Event, which netted him $775,000. His total live earnings amount to more than $8.3 million.
In an interview from 2014, Greg Raymer shared his thoughts on the past decade of his life and his views of the modern poker. He explained that it was great how the Internet made poker resources much more available to everyone, helping those willing to learn to progress much faster.
On the other hand, though, this is not so good for the professionals who try to make living playing the game, as it makes their lives much more difficult.
Raymer has openly acknowledged that today’s poker is far tougher than 2004. The influx of strategy content, training sites, and solver-based play has raised the baseline skill level dramatically — making it harder for anyone to dominate the way Main Event champions once could.
Personal Controversy
In 2013, the former WSOP champion was arrested as a part of prostitution sting. As it often happens, in the days after the arrest, a lot of misinformation and distorted truths were flying around, tarnishing his image.
What happened
In 2013, Raymer was arrested as part of a prostitution sting. After initial media frenzy, he gave an exclusive interview to PokerNews explaining his position — that he believed the laws in question were unjust and that consenting adults should be free to make their own choices.
His response
“If you are an adult and you’re only doing things with other consenting adults, then I really don’t think the government should be telling you what you can and can’t do.” However, he acknowledged that his actions were disrespectful to his wife Cheryl.
Resolution
The case never went to court. Raymer agreed to volunteer work and therapy in exchange for dismissal of charges. He described the therapy as something that needed to happen anyway to repair his relationship. He has since moved forward and remains a regular on the poker circuit.
Greg Raymer proved that the Moneymaker effect wasn’t a fluke. A second consecutive PokerStars satellite winner taking down the Main Event showed the world that online qualifiers were here to stay. His holographic glasses became iconic, his demeanor earned universal respect, and his choice to prioritize family over fame made him one of poker’s most genuinely likable champions.