WSOP Classic Moments – Greg Raymer Wins 2004 Main Event

The attendance numbers for the 2004 WSOP Main Event exploded due to the win of Chris Moneymaker in 2003. 2,576 players, mostly online qualifiers, turned out to make the largest prize pool in the history of poker. $5 Million was to go to first place with the top five players finishing as Millionaires.

All eyes were on one man heading into the final table. Dan Harrington had made the final table of the Main Event for the 2nd straight year, and for the 2nd straight year, he outlasted the largest field in WSOP history to do it. Two young guns in the form of Josh Arieh and David Williams were also at the final. The player that had everyone talking was also the chip leader heading into the final table. Greg “Fossilman” Raymer had a pair of signature glasses that set him apart from other players and even unnerved others.

Dan Harrington’s run finished a little short, with him finishing in 4th place. The $1.5 Million he took for 4th was more than he received for his 1995 Main Event win. Josh Arieh took 3rd and heads-up play was between Greg Raymer and David Williams. Heads-up play only lasted seven hands with Raymer holding a massive chip lead.

On the final hand, Williams raised pre-flop and Raymer made the call. On a flop of 5c-4d-2d, Williams bet out 500,000 and Raymer raised to 1.5 Million. Williams called and the turn fell the 2d. Action was checked to Raymer, who bet 2.5 Million. The river fell the 2c and Raymer moved all-in. Williams made the call and showed Ah-4s for deuces full of fours. Raymer showed pocket eights for deuces full of eights and the tournament was over.

Greg Raymer took the largest prize in WSOP history with $5 Million in prize money. Since then, Raymer has made multiple WSOP final tables, but has not been able to win another bracelet. He also made a deep run in the 2005 Main Event where he finished 25th.

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