The Lizard King
As the poker community gears up for the World Series, we catch up with 2004 champ Greg ‘Fossilman’ Raymer for a few thoughts before The Big One.
One minute you’re a North Dakota patent lawyer with a nice sideline in poker. The next you’re the World Series champion and a household name. But in 2004, Greg ‘Fossilman’ Raymer (nicknamed for his love of collecting fossils) defeated David Williams (negotiating 2,576 other players on the way) to win the $5,000,000 first prize in the $10,000 no limit Texas hold ‘em WSOP Main Event. 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 Joe Hachem. As showtime rapidly approaches, we spoke to the all-round top bloke, family man and poker legend.
Greg, how are preparations going for the World Series?
The only real preparations for me are arranging for the house and cars I will rent for the use of me and my family. I am always well-prepared to play poker (laughs).
What events will you be entering?
I will play every event possible, with very few exceptions. Of course, with 2 events per day, and each event lasting 2-3 days, I expect to miss many events simply because I’ll be busy when they start. Other than that, the only events I will intentionally miss are the limit hold ‘em tournaments. I hate limit hold ‘em.
Was becoming World Series champ a burden or a blessing?
Oh, a blessing for sure. While there have been a couple of negatives, it has been almost entirely positive. The only significant downside is that I now spend too much time away from my family!
When did you first fall in love with poker?
During law school, when I played in Professor Roger Park’s annual home tournament.
How do you think the US government’s crackdown on online gambling will affect the numbers at this year’s events?
Certainly, it will be no surprise if attendance is down. However, in the long run, this legislation will be forgotten as a blip on the radar of poker’s great history. While we often get stupid legislation passed by stupid Congressmen, it never lasts forever.
Did your win prove that you don’t have to be a professional to win the WSOP?
I was a part-time professional when I won in 2004, and had been for several years. It’s been 15 years since I started playing seriously, and I have never had a losing year yet (knock on wood). However, that doesn’t mean that you have to be a pro. But, you had better be at least very good, and go on a decent run as well.
Can you still remember the emotions you went through as you won that last hand?
Shock was the biggest emotion at first. When David [Williams] called me in less than a second, I figured he had to have me beat. So, it took a few seconds to realize I had won. After that, it was primal scream time. The joy is simply overwhelming. I am sure it is the same feeling that football players get when they win the Super Bowl, golfers The Masters, or the like.
Was it an upheaval becoming an overnight millionaire?
The money is great, but it hasn’t changed me significantly. I live in a nicer house, and my wife drives a nicer car. My car was only 1-year-old when I won, and I still drive it! The big upheaval is the continuous travel, and being away from my wife and daughter.
You’re obviously heavily involved with PokerStars.com. What benefits or drawbacks are there to having such a high-profile sponsor?
There really aren’t any drawbacks, except that I am obligated to make certain appearances and such for them, things I might not always do if I were not a representative of the site. But most of what they ask me to do, I would want to do anyway. I mean, who turns down a free trip to the Bahamas in January to play poker and try to win a million dollars?
When defending your crown [in 2005], you finished 25th having been chip leader for 4 days prior. Was this important to prove that the previous year wasn’t a one-off?
Not really. My ego is pretty self-sufficient. However, if you were my publicist, you would obviously love it, as it gives you more leverage to play up my skill! So it was important from a business point of view, but not a personal point of view.
Are you still hounded by fans?
I would not use the word hounded, as that implies that their attention towards me is a negative thing. And that is hardly ever the case. Having said that, it is very rare for me to go out in public and not get recognized.
Do you still find players making moves on you at the table? And have you had to change your game as a result?
I have always considered it one of my greatest strengths to smell out weakness, and stealing pots accordingly. However, while I can still smell it out, they won’t fold. So, I bluff much less than before, and make some very thin value bets.
Has the Main Event become too big?
Never!
Who is the best player you have played against?
There is no clear answer. I have played against hundreds of great players, but it is not as if somebody stands out clearly from the others as the best.
Players to look out for in Vegas this summer?
Hopefully, me!
What’s the future of poker? Has it reached saturation point or will the bubble carry on getting bigger?
I suspect we still have room for tournament attendances to go up, but it certainly appears that we’ve passed the high mark for television. I think that to regain that market, we need to improve the quality of the TV shows out there now. We need to get away from the game show and reality TV-style shows, and display poker like a sport. Give the fans their poker show the same way you give them the Superbowl, with all the facts and details, so they can appreciate everything that is going on at the table in all its subtle beauty.
Finally, your dream poker table. You and five figures from history?
Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, Anthony the Great, Thomas Jefferson and Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Yeah I know he probably doesn’t count, but that’s who I’d pick. Greg ‘Fossilman’ Raymer, 2004 World Series of Poker Champion is a brand ambassador for PokerStars.com
2 comments
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Posted by Kempo1987 – 14 Sep 2007, 1:27 PM
He was great in 2004, i hope to see him back up to the top again!
Posted by Groberts – 24 Sep 2007, 12:31 PM
Great Interview! very amusing