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 he Guardian G2 Poker Column |
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| Victoria
Coren |
| Monday Dec 18th, 2006
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A
few nights ago, I found myself in a small-stakes home game with the 2004 world
champion, Greg "Fossilman" Raymer. He was in London to commentate on the
European Poker Tour for his sponsors, PokerStars.com.
I am prepared to
admit I was wrong about Raymer. When he won the world title, I thought he might
be a bit dull. This was based on a press conference after the event. One
journalist, keen to inject colour into a news report, asked him why he used
fossils as card protectors. Raymer thought carefully, then replied: "So that
the dealer doesn't accidentally take away my cards." |
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Hmm, I thought, this patent lawyer isn't one
of poker's most dazzling characters. He must want to deflect publicity from
himself, and will quietly disappear in a few months. I was wrong. Raymer seized
the baton, signed a big sponsorship deal, and has blossomed into an
internationally known commentator, TV celebrity and great ambassador for the
game. He's likable, humorous, unstarry and approachable, always taking time to
chat or play poker with smaller-stakes fans.
While in London last week,
visiting this social game in Shepherd's Bush, the ex-champ improved his
lifetime winnings ($5,792,365) to the tune of £130 - about enough for a
sandwich during the big game at the Bellagio. More impressive even than his
eagerness to play for these sums was his enthusiasm for "the funnies", the
poker variants I discussed here a couple of weeks ago. If you thought Omaha
sounded exciting, you'll love Raymer's new favourite: Knightsbridge, a hybrid
of American-style paduki and deuce-to-seven triple draw.
If I might as
well be speaking Japanese, don't worry. Our journey through Poker Variant World
will continue with small steps. After Christmas, we shall cross Stud Bridge,
travel through the Land of Lowball, and arrive in the beautiful realm of High
Low Split. It's a bit like Bethlehem, with fewer angels but (if you're lucky)
just as many donkeys.
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