Behind the Hologram Sunnies

Want to know why Greg Raymer is nicknamed "Fossilman?" find out this and much more in our latest Poker player profile, available here

There are many players these days at the tables with a strong game, but few manage to stick out just as sharply as Greg Raymer. Greg "Fossilman" Raymer has been on the Poker scene for nearly 15 years, and yet he has continued to catch the eye of his opponents, followers and audiences wherever he goes time and time again. Perhaps it is the lizard-inspired hologram sunglasses, or perhaps the fossilized rock card cover which won him his nickname? Regardless, Raymer is a fantastic Poker player and definitely a worthy rival at the table!

The Fossilman made his debut into the world of Poker back in 1996, when he entered and cashed in at a local Connecticut tourney. At that same time, he was working a standard 9-5 desk job as an attorney by day, and tearing up the tables at the Foxwoods Casino and Resort by night. Fossilman continued in this manner until 2003 (inclusive), and during that period earned no less than 8 cashes, with one even being made at the grand World Series of Poker tournament.

That next year in 2004, Fossilman took his Poker playing to new and greater heights in what proved to be his debut as a professional. He began by winning his $10K entry into the World Series of Poker Championship Event via PokerStars, his favorite online Poker room. He continued on to play head to head against none other than Josh Arieh, Dan Harrington and David Williams, all of whom he beat. Nobody expected that the Fossilman would eventually become the 2004 World Series of Poker winner, taking home the biggest first place prize money ever – an enormous $5 million!

Yet this was not enough for Raymer, who spent the next few years returning to the tables to defend his title. He ranked in 33rd place at the 2005 World Poker tour Championship, in 25th place at the 2005 World Series of Poker (boasting the largest ever player pool), and in 3rd place at the $40K buy-in event for the World Series of Poker 40th anniversary.

In addition to his lucrative Poker career, Raymer has also been an advocate for the game of Poker, lobbying for its regulation following the UIGEA, and for its reputation through the Poker Players Alliance (PPA). It is clear that Poker will always be close to his heart.