Greg Raymer Rebounds Back to 10,000 Chips

At the World Series of Poker 2006, Greg Raymer is the star signing autographs, posing for pictures and wading through hundreds of slaps on the back as he makes his way to his seat.

Once a patent attorney for a pharmaceutical company, Raymer won the main event in 2004, pocketed $5 million and confirmed that, no, you didn't have to be a professional card shark to make it big in this world of extreme gambling.

"It's odd," Raymer said Sunday, his first day in this year's main event.

"I'm just a poker player. It's not like I do anything unbelievable, or anything that anyone else can't do. It's not a 40-foot long jump."

But to win a first prize that will eclipse $11 million this year, a figure bolstered in large part by the success of guys like Raymer, it will take lottery-like luck, to say nothing of tremendous patience and stamina.

There are more than 8,600 entrants for this Texas Hold 'Em tournament, a field so big it has been divided into four for first-round play, which began Friday. Those who advance are grouped together and the field is pared down daily until the final table, scheduled for Aug. 10.

July 31, 2006
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com    Previous Page | Internet Gambling | Top Online Casinos | Submit News!