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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11 years ago22,877

Published 11 years ago

Phil Laak flops full house v Luke Schwartz

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

11 years ago18,672Sherminator,

Published 11 years ago

Tom Dwan epic bluff against Phil Laak

Epic Tom Dwan bluff against Phil Laak on Poker after dark the cash game.

11 years ago8,684LaoTze,

Published 11 years ago

Phil Laak - 5 hour decision

Phil Laak explains to Jesse May that a 5 minute choice turned in to a 5 hour decision!

10 years ago7,302Michu6,

Published 10 years ago

Laak QJ v Schwartz J9

And yet another hand where Schwartz and Laak just can't get away from each other. I love Tony G getting the bike out and all the c...

10 years ago11,941LaoTze,

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?...

10 years ago11,147SkyPoker,

Published 10 years ago

Phil Laak Interview

Phil Laak's in London for the Premier League - Railing his partner Jennifer Tilly at the final table! He talks a little about poke...

10 years ago5,543Nathan,

Published 10 years ago

Phil Laak Interview - Fun, Freedom, Fullfillment

Phil Laak gets interviewed about his spare time

10 years ago71,250Arnas1254,

Published 10 years ago

Donk for life - Phil Laak vs Hellmuth

A match-up between Phil Laak and Phil Hellmuth

10 years ago78,446

Published 10 years ago

NBC HU 2013 - Phil Laak vs Phil Ivey

NBC HU 2013 - Phil Laak vs Phil Ivey (Ep 01)

10 years ago63,903RPFC,

Published 10 years ago

Phil Laak on Optimizing Happiness EV

Phil Laak made the trip to Florida for the SHRPO, but says he does not make such decisions automatically, and often pursues happin...

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!