Greg Raymer Wins Heartland Poker Tour Missouri

Greg Raymer has just won the 2012 Heartland Poker Tour Missouri, after defeating a field of 336 players over four days to lift the title, and collect the $121,973 first place prize.
The player nicknamed “Fossilman,” also won the $1,500 Heartland Poker Tour New Mexico in July for $71,875 and after his latest victory at the River City Casino in St. Louis, Missouri, now sits atop the HPT’s Player of the Year race.
“Winning two of three tournaments is unreal and unexpected. I’m just very excited,” commented the 2004 World Series of Poker Main Event winner who has now taken his live career earnings to an impressive $7,213,005.
By the time the $1,650 buy-in tournament reached its final table of six, Raymer was also joined by two ladies, as well as the 2010 Oklahoma HPT winner Shawn Roberts. As HPT Executive Producer Fred Bevill noted: “Having one past champion at the Final Table is rare. Two past champs made the day especially fun for us behind the scenes.”
After Stan Jablonski exited the arena in 6th ($23,906), Alona Sushynina then eliminated Penelope Banhidy in 5th ($29,272). Eventually, Greg Raymer would go heads-up against 21-year-old Ryan Hickey, who must have felt quietly comfortable after going all-in preflop holding pocket queens. Unfortunately for him, Raymer held the kings and so the Illinois resident had to content himself with a runner-up finish worth $69,034, while Raymer was crowned the HPT Missouri champion. Moreover, the victory was particularly sweet for Raymer who back in 1982 was a graduate at the St. Louis’ Parkway South High School, and was also in town as part of his 30-year high school reunion.
The final table payouts were as follows:
1 Greg Raymer    $121,973
2 Ryan Hickey    $69,034
3 Alona Sushynina $43,908
4 Reginald “Shawn” Roberts $37,810
5 Penelope Banhidy $29,272
6 Stan Jablonski $23,906