| 2004 WSOP Main Event Winner | Greg Raymer |
|---|---|
| Runner Up | David Williams |
| Winning Hand | 8 8 |
| Losing Hand | A 4 |
| 1st Place Prize | $5,000,000 |
| Number of Main Event Entrants | 2,576 |
Following Chris Moneymaker’s success in 2003, Poker Stars qualifier Greg Raymer, also known as “Fossilman” navigated the 2,576 player field all the way to the championship, defeating David Williams in heads-up play.
While the amateurs were taking down the title, the professionals still managed a fell good story of their own, as professional poker player Dan Harrington made the final table for the second consecutive year. Buoyed by this experience, Harrington was inspired to write his book Harrington on Holdem, which is widely considered to be one of the best poker tournament strategy books on the market.
In the final hand Greg Raymer held pocket eights while David Williams held A-4. The two competitors exchanged bets and raises throughout the hand until David Williams had all of his chips in the pot. The board had run out 4-2-5-2-2 to give both players full houses, but Raymer showed the better full house for the victory, WSOP bracelet, and the $5 million first prize.