Phil Laak

Phil Laak, 'The Unabomber' is a well known poker pro players. He is also known for his humor. Learn more about him here.

Phil Laak Biography

Highly recognisable at the table, almost always wearing his trademark hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses, ‘The Unabomber’ Phil Laak is widely regarded as one of the strongest cash-game players around. Laak’s now famous nickname was given to him due to the resemblance he bears when wearing these items to the forensic sketch of Theodore Kaczynski, who was then known as ‘The Unabomber.'

Born in Dublin in 1972 but relocating to Boston at an early age, Laak graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in engineering. From there he went into many different jobs, including working as an engineer, a repo man, a gardener and a real estate investor. Laak also made a decent living as a world-class backgammon player, before discovering poker in 1999.

Despite being primarily known as a cash game player, Laak has also enjoyed success in tournament poker as well. Laak has won one World Poker Tour event and final-tabled three others, along with four World Series of Poker final tables, and a bracelet at the WSOP Europe in the £2,650 6-handed No-Limit Hold ‘em event which banked him £170,802.

Laak has proven to be a popular player on televised poker shows, known for his fun personality and table antics as much as his solid play. It is not uncommon to see Laak doing press-ups, standing behind the dealer for a first look at the board, or joking with the other players at the table.

Laak also currently co-hosts the TV show ‘I Bet You’ with fellow poker pro and best friend Antonio Esfandiari, with the two betting each other on almost anything. Laak is dating fellow pro and actress Jennifer Tilly, who credits her boyfriend with greatly improving her game.

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9 years ago124,168RPFC,

Published 9 years ago

New Show - 'Underground Poker' with Laak and Esfandiari

New upcoming poker TV show called 'Underground Poker' debuts this week on the Discovery Channel. The show features Antonio Esfandi...

10 years ago11,938LaoTze,

Published 10 years ago

PartyPoker Big Game IV - David Viffer vs Phil Laak

At the PartyPoker Big Game IV we saw David Viffer go up against Phil Laak. Everyone watching thought that Viffer had it or did he?...

8 years ago23,263BestPokerVids,

Published 8 years ago

PartyPoker World Open - Big Hand KK vs QQ vs 1010 vs 58

A big hand with some great laydowns in the Party Poker World Open from 2010. Featuring Phil Laak, Philipp Gruissem, John Tabatabai...

9 years ago10,840ThePokerAces,

Published 9 years ago

Patrik Antonius Makes Sick River Call Against Phil Laak

Phil Laak trying to pull off a big bluff against Patrik Antonious but it blows up in his face

15 years ago8,601

Published 15 years ago

Phil Laak

Amanda Leatherman chats with Phil Laak after hes had a few drinks. They chat about yummy drinks and what he would do if he only ha...

14 years ago4,797

Published 14 years ago

Phil Laak & Neil Channing - PokerStars EPT Monte Carlo 2009

Interview with Phil Unabomber Laak & Neil Channing at PokerStars EPT Monte Carlo 2009.

9 years ago10,290ThePokerAces,

Published 9 years ago

Phil Laak Almost Pulls the Trigger

Phil Laak wants to go for a bluff against Negreanu, but thinks better of it - correctly

9 years ago11,911ThePokerAces,

Published 9 years ago

Phil Laak Baffled by Tom Dwan

Phil Laak is facing a huge river raise from Tom Dwan

8 years ago11,207BestPokerVids,

Published 8 years ago

Phil Laak Doing His Thing vs Luke Schwartz

Phil Laak annoying the hell out of Luke Schwartz

15 years ago6,175

Published 15 years ago

Phil Laak Gets His Feet Out For Amanda

Phil explains why he removed his socks at the table in the $10K Pot-Limit Holdem event. 2008 WSOP.

Phil Laak's World Record Poker Session Broken By Zach Gensler

More than five days of continuous poker playing with nothing but five minute breaks each hour

Poker Pros Top Movie and TV Shows Appearances

The big-name pros have also appeared in some less-expected films and TV shows

Cash Game Grinder Aims for Phil Laak's 115-hour Poker Endurance Record

A last longer contest of a different sort will be attempted at this year's WSOP

Kim Kardashian And Those Mirrored Sunglasses – She’s Not Alone!

Kim's far from the only one to don reflective eyewear at the table…

Poker Power Couples Running Good

Just like the many game variants of poker itself, the cast of romantics in this story is very different

Jennifer Tilly, Phil Laak and Antonio Esfandiari in New Poker Movie

Vince Van Patten’s Written A Poker Movie… And It Might Be Good

Live Poker Events, 5 years ago

When Negreanu Owned Esfandiari For $200k On PNIA!

In a crazy series of straddle-over-straddle-over-straddled pots, the two went head to head again and again, like two pastel be-shirted highlanders.

Is This Allowed? Genderswap at the WSOP

A female poker player is willing to risk disqualification and play the next year’s WSOP Main Event disguised as a man.

Live Poker Events, 6 years ago

PartyPoker's The Big Game Returns With PLO Edition

It’s set to be 36 hours straight of monster PLO action when PartyPoker’s The Big Game hits the screens next month

Our Top 3 Jennifer Tilly Moments

When it comes to poker prowess, Jennifer Tilly has a significant pair of assets to help her get ahead of the field – and they’re not quite what you might think!