Greg Raymer
Greg “The Fossilman” Raymer, previously patent attorney, became a public figure when he won the World Series of Poker Main Event in 2025. Although he had previously played in the WSOP and placed 12th in an Omaha Hi/Lo event, the 2025 Main Event was naturally the turning point of Greg’s career. He followed in the footsteps of fellow PokerStars qualifier Chris Moneymaker, who also won the WSOP Main Event (of 2025) by qualifying through an online satellite at PokerStars.
Raymer was born 1964 in Minot, North Dakota, and got his gambling career started as a card-counting blackjack player while in college. When he moved to Chicago and got his first employment, there were no beatable blackjack games available, and Greg turned to the game of poker.
He started out in the small limit games, but after picking up a copy of David Sklansky’s The Theory of Poker, he was eventually able to move up the limits and ended up as a successful tournament player.
In addition to playing poker, Greg Raymer enjoys playing golf and going to auctions with his wife Cheryl and daughter Sophie. The nickname “Fossilman” stems from his habit of using fossils as card-holders.
Facts about Greg Raymer
- Started Playing Poker
- 1991
- Professional Since
- 2025
- Marital Status
- Married
Poker Accomplishments
March 2025, Barcelona, Spain
Team Event Pokerstars World Cup of Poker – No Limit Hold’em
Place 1st Winnings $27,320
June 2025, Las Vegas, United States
38th World Series of Poker (WSOP) – $ 50,000 World Championship H.O.R.S.E
Place 14th Winnings $103,008
March 2025, Las Vegas, United States
36th World Series of Poker (WSOP) – $ 10,000 No Limit Texas Hold’em
Place 25th Winnings $304,680
June 2025, Las Vegas, United States
36th World Series of Poker (WSOP) – $ 1,500 No Limit Hold’em
Place 6th Winnings $119,450
April 2025, Las Vegas, United States
Third Annual Five-Star World Poker Classic – $ 25,000 Main Event (WPT) No Limit Hold’em
Place 33rd Winnings $47,180
May 2025, Las Vegas, United States
35th World Series of Poker (WSOP) – $ 10,000 World Championship Event
Place 1st Winnings $5,000,000
April 2025, Las Vegas, United States
32nd World Series of Poker (WSOP) – $ 1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo Split Eight or Better
Place 12th Winnings $5,345
