Former WSOP champion Greg Raymer wins Heartland Poker Tour's 200th event

Former World Series of Poker champion Greg Raymer captured the Heartland Poker Tour’s 200th nationally televised event over the weekend.

The first place prize of $71,875 earned from the tournament at the Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque, N.M., was much smaller than the $5 million Raymer collected in 2004 when he won the World Series of Poker’s Main Event at Binion’s Horseshoe.

Raymer has often played on the Heartland Poker Tour, which was recently acquired by casino operator Pinnacle Entertainment. The event was his first victory.

“It feels so much better when you win,” Raymer said. “I just like the attitude and demeanor on tour. Even if you knock someone out, they leave smiling.”

Raymer, a patent attorney, was an amateur player when he won the World Series of Poker Main Event. The following year, Raymer finished 25th in the Main Event. He has more than $7 million in career winnings.

Runner-up Robert Crawford of El Paso, Texas, listed his lifetime career poker winnings as “not much.” Crawford earned $42,500 for second place and considered the day a success.

“I definitely didn’t expect to be playing heads up with Greg Raymer today,” he said.