Greg Raymer the "Fossilman" is a professional poker player who once was a patent attorney. His nickname comes from his fossil collection and specifically the fact that he uses them as card protectors. Another physical aspect that allows one to depict him from a crowd is the 3-D holographic glasses he wears during plays on the felt.
Raymer was born in North Dakota and his family soon after moved to Lansing, Michigan and already by the age 11 another big move to Florida was made. After earning his major in chemistry from the University of Missouri, Raymer continued in 1992 to graduate from the University of Minnesota Law School. In college is where he started playing poker for some extra money when he realized he was pretty good.
In 1998 he had been working already for quite some years as a patent attorney but began also to join the poker tables at the Foxwoods Resort Casino where he was runner-up in $500 Limit Hold'em. In 1999 he placed third in the Final Table No Limit Hold'em walking off with a nice $48,960. In 2001 Raymer was already entering the World Series of Poker and finished in the money at 12th for $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo Split Eight/Better.
But it wasn't until 2004 where he had won a $160 satellite tournament of Pokerstars that made Greg Raymer worth over $5 million from the $10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Series of Poker Main Event champion. The following year he sealed his status as a professional poker player, proving he was no one-hit wonder by placing 25th again in the WSOP main event as well as finishing in the money in two other events. Greg Raymer continues to place in the money in the 2006 WSOP in two events, $5,000 No Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball and $1,500 No Limit Hold'em.
As of 2006, Greg Raymer has accumulated live tournament winnings to around $5.7 million.