Phil Laak

Phil Laak, an iconic figure in the poker world. Known for his eccentric style and unsurpassed skill at the gaming tables, Laak has become a true legend and has earned the status of one of the most respected poker players in the industry. Keep reading to learn about his achievements, strategies, and the fascinating personality of Phil Martins Laak.

Main Information

• Nickname: “Unabomber”;
• Nationality: United States;
• Residence: Los Angeles, CA, United States;
• Born: Dublin, Ireland;
• Age: 51 (September 8, 1972);
• Last Results: 129th Place, $600 No-Limit Hold’em 40/40 $400K GTD (2024 L.A. Poker Classic).

Phil Laak Biography

Phil Laak, born September 8, 1972 in Dublin, Ireland, is a well-known professional poker player, famous not only for his playing style but also for his appearance. Laak’s journey into the world of poker began during his college studies at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he studied mechanical engineering. At the age of 31, he scored his first big win when he won the World Poker Tour (WPT) Celebrity Invitational in 2004. In 2010, he managed to win his first WSOP bracelet, which is considered a prestigious award in the poker world.

To date, he continues to participate in poker tournaments. Moreover, during his long career, he often became a participant in popular TV shows where he demonstrated his skills and talent. He also wrote his own column in Bluff Magazine, a poker magazine, for 10 years (from 2005 to 2015). His personality attracted some directors, and therefore he starred in several films, such as Freelancers, Runner-Runner, The Grand, and others.

Poker Career

Phil Laak’s poker career began more than 20 years ago. Laak’s rise in the poker world was rapid, he was distinguished by unconventional playing style and mathematical abilities. He is widely recognized for the habit of wearing a hoodie and sunglasses at the poker table, which earned him the nickname Unabomber. At the moment, Phil is still taking part in different poker shows and tournaments.

Live Poker Achievements

During his career, Laak has accumulated an impressive list of achievements in live poker, namely:

• 1st Place, No Limit Hold’em – Uncle Louie;
• 1st Place, Event 1 – No-Limit Hold’em Six Handed – 2010 World Series of Poker Europe – London;
• 1st Place, No-Limit Hold’em Main Event – 2004 WPT Invitational;
• 1st Place, Heat 1 – 2010 PartyPoker.com Premier League Poker IV;
• 2nd Place, $1,100 No-Limit Hold’em DoubleStack $100K GTD – 2019 DeepStack Extravaganza I.

Online Poker Achievements

Laak’s success extends not only to live tournaments, but also to online ones:

• 6th Place, Final Table – 2010 PartyPoker.com Premier League Poker IV;
• 37th Place, $565 Pot-Limit Omaha Six Max WSOP.com Online – 2018 World Series of Poker.

Top Five Career Cashes

Phil Laak has a lot of earnings on his account, but here are the most significant ones:

The Unabomber World Record

Phil Laak became famous in the poker world when he set an outstanding world record for the longest poker session. In 2010, Laak held a grandiose game at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, which lasted 115 hours and 58 minutes. Thus, he set a new Guinness World Record and became famous all over the world.

Phil Martins Laak Socials

Here are the accounts of the poker legend in socials:

• Instagram: @phillaak
• X (Twitter): @PhilLaak