Jesse Naylor opened the action with a raise to 1,100 from the hijack. The button called before the big blind three-bet to 4,600. Naylor and the button called.
The big blind checked the A♥3♣6♠ flop over to Naylor who fired 3,000. The button called before the big blind check-raised to 9,000. Both Naylor and the button called.
The big blind wagered 15,000 on the 7♣ turn and only Naylor made the call.
Action went check-check on the Q♥ river and Naylor tabled A♣K♣ for the winner. The big blind showed A♦J♦ before mucking.
A player in early position raised to 1,100, receiving calls from the hijack and both the blinds.
The 6♣8♥7♣ flop saw the action checked to the original raiser, who bet out for 1,500. Only Rodney Danger, in the big blind, continued with a check-raise to 4,500. The player in early position called.
The Q♣ turn saw Danger bet again, this time for 7,000. The player in early position chose to see a river.
The 2♠ river saw one last bet from Danger, this time for 12,000, which was met with a quick call. Danger tabled 5♦4♦ for a flopped straight, winning him this pot.
The button opened the action with a raise to 1,200. Gregg Donnenfeld three-bet to 4,600 from the small blind before the button four-bet to 15,500. Donnenfeld moved all in for 34,900 and his opponent called.
Gregg Donnenfeld: K♥K♠
Button: A♣K♣
The board ran out 5♦2♦Q♦7♣10♦ and Donnenfeld held on to drag in the pot, earning a decent double up.
In 2003, the game of poker changed forever after Chris Moneymaker topped a field of 839 players to win the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event for $2.5 million. By doing so, the Moneymaker effect ignited the “Poker Boom,” which saw the tournament field triple the following year.
The 2004 Main Event was the last to be held at the birthplace of the WSOP – Binion’s Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas. The venue was packed to the rafters with 2,576 players entering that year’s tournament, and with the ESPN cameras capturing all the action several poker players made a name for themselves that year including young guns David Williams and Josh Arieh, while 1995 WSOP Main Event champ Dan Harrington made history by following up his third-place finish in the 2003 WSOP Main Event by placing fourth in 2004 for $1.5 million.
However, when the dust settled it was a patent attorney from Connecticut by the name of Greg Raymer winning the whole thing for a smooth $5 million and a gold bracelet. While attempting to defend his title in 2005, which doubled from the year prior by attracting 5,619 players, Raymer proved his win was no fluke by making another deep run, ultimately falling in 25th place for $304,680.
It’s been 20 years since Raymer’s victory, but he hasn’t slowed down as he’s continued to play poker all across the globe. In recognition of Raymer’s anniversary, PokerNews caught up with the champ, who will be at the 2024 WSOP!
