THE PRICE OF FAME

Poker king Greg Raymer hasn't lost his luck.

Since winning the $5 million World Series of Poker jackpot at Binion's in May, his life has been a swirl of instant celebrity, with tournaments all over the world. Two weeks ago he was giving poker advice in Las Vegas to "Spider-Man" Tobey Maguire.

But 10 days ago he found himself in a deadly game of survival outside his 20th floor suite at the Bellagio.

Two would-be robbers, one brandishing a pistol, tried forcing him into his room for what he assumes was a murder plot.

The fast-thinking Raymer fought them off, figuring his chances were better in the hallway than being held captive inside his room.

"Instead of panicking, I started thinking like I was in a poker game," said Raymer, who was carrying $150,000 in cash on the way to his room.

Fearing arrest as Raymer hollered for help, the thugs ran off.

"Don't (expletive) with patent attorneys," said Raymer, a Connecticut resident who specialized in biochemistry cases for drug-making giant Pfizer.

Through photos, Raymer identified the two 20-something suspects, who remained at large.