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 ago7,851BestPokerVids,

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Phil Laak vs Tom Dwan - Bluffing Games

Tom 'durrrr' Dwan pulling a sick river move against Phil Laak

8 years ago35,143BestPokerVids,

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Underground Poker Show

Underground Poker show by Discover Channel, featuring Phil Laak and Antonio Esfandiari

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Underground Poker Show (High Quality)

Underground Poker show by Discover Channel, featuring Phil Laak and Antonio Esfandiari

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Jen Tilly not Happy After Losing a Hand

Jennifer Tilly gets moved off the best hand by Tobias Reinkemeier and proceeds to berate Phil Laak

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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

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Phil Laak, Maria Ho and Dan O'Brien - Big Cash Hand

Big cash pot played during an episode of Poker Night in America between Phil Laak, Maria Ho and Dan O'Brien.

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Esfandiari berates Phil Laak on poker night

Antonio berates his old-school poker buddy Phil Laak during a cash game episode of poker night in America.

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Poker Night in America S02 Ep17

Brand new Poker Night in America! Episode 17 of season 2. Minimum buy-in is $5000, Maximum buy-in is $20,000. Cash game blinds of ...

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WPT - S02E01 - Legends of Poker - Part 1 of 6

The World Poker Tour presents the Legends of Poker live from Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles, California. This $5k buy-in event feat...

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WPT - S0201 - Legends of Poker - Part 2 of 6

The World Poker Tour presents the Legends of Poker live from Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles, California. This $5k buy-in event feat...

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!