GOODBYE FOSSILMAN & THANKS!

[Be sure to visit the World Series of Poker live blog from Dr. Pauly. More photos are now in the 2005 WSOP Photo Gallery. Complete World Series of poker tournament results can be found at Poker Player Newspaper.]

The champ has left the building. 2004 World Series of Poker Champion, Greg “Fossilman” Raymer, was eliminated from the 2005 WSOP championship main event today. Greg went out in the 25th spot so there will be no back-to-back WSOP champion until 2006 or beyond. The Fossilman went all-in with an A-9 against a pocket pair of fives. The turn brought a pair of Kings with a seven, the turn was another King and the river was a deuce, truly the classic river card. Greg stood silent for a few moments; then after a round of handshakes he began collecting his things and turned to leave the table, then turned back and waved to the loudly cheering crowd of spectators and players alike. He received a standing ovation for his valiant effort in seeking to become the first back-to-back champion since the Mighty Johnny Chan did the trick in 1987 and 1988. Greg employed his ‘aggressive with results’ style of poker to build mountains of chips on his space at the main event poker table. He came out fast on day one; then remained a powerful force at all of his tables until the very moment that river deuce fell and he hit the wall, busting out.

The former corporate lawyer is now a very busy businessman and one of the elite professional tournament poker players. I’m amazed at his stellar finish in this year World Series of Poker Main Event. Greg outlasted more than fifty-five hundred players to get one of the twenty-seven return tickets to the historic old Horseshoe Casino in downtown Las Vegas. He played solid poker to get so close to the mountaintop again this year. Greg took the time to do a comprehensive exit interview with the ESPN people. He collected his things along with $304,680 to add to his five million from last year and left the room. Going down the hall he continually stopped to sign autographs and pose for photos.

Greg Raymer has been a very positive presence for the overall poker industry. He has spent more time the past year working to educate people to the legitimacy of tournament poker than he has spent playing tournament poker. Greg voluntarily became the point man of the efforts to make tournament poker and Internet poker rooms legal.

LasVegasVegas.com did the first published interview with Greg after his win last year, in addition, we ran the first photo of the mysterious player in the cat-eye glasses. Thanks Fossilman for representing poker in a most professional manner and casting the sport in good light. Poker will continue to grow and become the universal sport with spokes people like you. Someday everyone can enjoy the fun of playing the game that doesn’t handicap you because you’re handicapped. See you at the final tables in 2006, Fossilman.