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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8 years ago7,765BestPokerVids,

Published 8 years ago

Phil Laak Makes Strong Move vs Mercier

Jason Mercier put to a test by Phil Laak on the river, but it doesn't take Jason long to put the pieces together

9 years ago6,570ThePokerAces,

Published 9 years ago

Phil Laak Makes a Non-Standard Shove vs Mercier

Phil Laak tries to take Jason Mercier to the value town

9 years ago4,566BestPokerVids,

Published 9 years ago

Phil Laak Poker Style

Phil Laak certainly has a very distinct fashion sense

9 years ago36,125ThePokerAces,

Published 9 years ago

Phil Laak Putting on the Show

Phil Laak puts on a big show trying to get paid with a big hand

9 years ago15,343BestPokerVids,

Published 9 years ago

Phil Laak Reveals His Hand on the Turn

Phil Laak tries an optimistic bluff against four people, then reveals his hand

9 years ago16,025BestPokerVids,

Published 9 years ago

Phil Laak Shoving and Rapping

Phil Laak limp-shoves against Antonio Esfandiari and starts rapping

8 years ago17,669BestPokerVids,

Published 8 years ago

Phil Laak Special vs Liviu

Phil Laak pulls a sick bluff against Ignat Liviu

9 years ago7,893ThePokerAces,

Published 9 years ago

Phil Laak acting strange on the turn

After raising the pot on the turn, Phil Laak acts strange in a hand against Eli Elezra in this Poker After Dark clip.

11 years ago12,336

Published 11 years ago

Phil Laak after his miss fold

Phil Laak after his fold that cost him 60k

11 years ago22,878

Published 11 years ago

Phil Laak flops full house v Luke Schwartz

Phil Laak flopped a full house against Luke Schwartz. Amazing!

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!