Greg Raymer Speaks Out
Written by Renee K | Friday, March 20th, 2009
Not many people will remember that Greg Raymer won the WSOP Main Event in 2004 but they will remember him as the man who wears the orange holographic sunglasses while playing poker. This month Raymer, also known as the Fossil Man because of the sunglasses, came out of oblivion and gave two interviews, the excerpts of which are doing the rounds of poker forums.
The first one was given to Jenny Woo of Gambling 911. This was a bit of a surprise because Jenny is usually interested in people who have done something away from the poker tables. This was the most un-Jenny like interview ever. There was not even a hint of naughtiness. On the contrary old fashioned family values were highlighted. Raymer’s wife normally would have preferred him to stay with his job as a patent attorney because he would be home for dinner and on weekends. But because Raymer is happier playing poker she is willing to be bereft of his company for long periods.
Raymer also said that though he can afford to buy for his only daughter anything she wants he is quite strict on her spending habits. Politically Raymer is a Libertarian. He wants the Libertarian Party to play a more active role and in four years time when his daughter is away in college he would not mind getting involved in politics.
Jenny put the question everyone seems to be asking these days. Was poker a game of skill or luck? Pat came the reply, “It’s really a question of the time frame. In the short run it is all about luck. In the long run it’s all about skill.” Wonder how the courts will interpret that one.
The second interview was given on Fox Business for the Poker Players Alliance. The two issues that were to be discussed is whether online poker was illegal and whether online poker should be regulated. Speaking on legal issues Raymer is much more clear and coherent than when talking about his temper and his golf. This is probably because of his background in law.
Raymer held that US online poker is not illegal under the UIGEA as is made out to be. He said, “That bill says it’s illegal to engage in a financial transaction with an illegal online casino, but it doesn’t say what is [an] illegal [casino].” On the issue of regulating online poker Raymer’s final remarks were that regulation is “good for the online industry. I think it’s good for the consumer. It’s even better for the economy.”
Check Out Other Related Articles
· Written by Renee K · Filed Under Poker News · Comments Off
