Garrett Greer Eyes Another WPT Final Table in Legends of Poker Main Event

By Kevin Taylor

The WPT Legends of Poker Main Event seems to be Garrett Greer’s home away from home. The former WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic runner-up has made the last table of this event twice in the last four years, but both times, he fell just short of the televised WPT final table of six, finishing in eighth place each time. While some players would have a sour taste in their mouths for getting so close, Greer has fond memories from both runs.

“It makes this tournament really special for me,” Greer said. “In 2013, I got eighth, and I was new on the scene then. When I came for Day 1 last year, I was asked by the WPT film crew what I want to do. I said if I could repeat 2013, then that would be amazing — and it’s so crazy that it actually happened.”

Greer added that despite those two deep runs, and being in prime position to make another deep run here, he has no expectations going forward.

“I don’t want to be greedy and ask for the same thing again,” Greer said. “Just getting down close to the money, I already feel super fortunate.”

Greer started Day 2 with 69,000, and while the beginning of his day was up and down, he hit a huge rush in the middle of the day to move to well above average. The start of that run was a classic preflop cooler that Greer started out on the wrong end of, before a fortunate river card changed his fate.

“I dipped down initially to 44,000 and then I had a burst of cards, a run that was unreal,” Greer recalled. “First off, I doubled up, then I took someone out with kings versus aces. It wasn’t for my tournament life, but it was a crucial pot. I just rivered a king and it was glorious. I felt bad for the guy because he was really nice. I got up to 200K, then lost a couple flips, then I’ve just been winning since then. It’s been great.”

In addition to hitting the right cards, Greer gave credit to his positive attitude and stellar play that he said came as the result of a big change he recently made with his diet and lifestyle. Greer has been dating fitness model Jessica Arevalo, and she got him going back to the gym regularly this year. In addition, he has recently adapted a new vegan diet that has seen his energy skyrocket.

“I’ve already lost some weight, which could be seen as a negative because I’m already pretty thin, but overall it’s been a really good change,” Greer said. “The reason I did it was a slew of documentaries that Jessica and I watched. The last one for us was What the Health.”

Greer continued: “One of the biggest things I’ve noticed is that usually I was tired after meals and with vegan meals I feel more energy after I eat. I feel great.”

The running joke about Greer with his friends is that he’s always the bridesmaid, never the bride.

In addition to the aforementioned runner-up finish at WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic in 2014, he also finished second in the WPT Showdown at Seminole Hard Rock last season. He scored another second-place finish in the Millionaire Maker event last year at the WSOP, though he still took home a cool $1 million for that showing.

Despite those close calls, Greer considers himself very fortunate, whereas some may be a bit frustrated with always coming so close. He said that that right now, he’s not worried about winning the title, though it’s something he would certainly love to get.

“I don’t even want to think about it,” Greer said. “It would be ridiculously awesome, but I don’t want to get too excited. Putting those thoughts in my head gives me a bit of, almost, anxiety. I’ve been there, close, a few times. It would be everything. It would be awesome, but even getting there and having a chance would be great already.”

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