Born in Dublin, Ireland on September 8th, 1972, Phil Laak (pronounces "lock") aka "The Unabomber" is one of the most interesting professional poker players these days. With a pro poker career that started in 2002, Phil Laak has managed to take the 1st place of the first live tournament he ever participated: the No Limit Hold'em event in Uncle Louie Tournament on October 27th, 2002. Phil Laak also won 1st place, along with $100,000, in No Limit Hold'em tournament of the 2004 WPT, earning himself the title "WPT Champion". These days he lives in California with his girlfriend, poker player and movie star Jennifer Tilly, and participates in various poker tournaments.
Phil Laak was, as mentioned above, born in Dublin, Ireland. As a child, his parents moved to Wellesley, Massachusetts, in the US east coast. When he graduated high school, he enrolled to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and a few years later graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. Before he discovered the world of professional poker, Phil Laak managed to work as an engineer, a stock day trader, a repo man and a real estate investor. For a while he was the host of E! Hollywood Hold'em, appeared in Poker After Dark and had some minor parts in several movies and shows, mainly appearing as himself.
Phil Laak the poker player is well-known for his antics around the poker table, constantly acting and provoking his opponents. Some find it funny; others believe it to be somewhat rude and line-crossing. Outside the poker table, Phil Laak the person is not so different: He likes to go scuba diving, motorcycling and skydiving, and practices judo. The rumor has it that once he escaped his motorcycle as it flipped over a car, left his motorcycle behind him while still in the air, and landed on his feet, spared from serious injury from the crashed motorcycle.
Even though he learned to play poker as a child, and introduced to high-stakes poker rooms and tournaments in 1999, Phil Laak didn't make it to the "major league" until age 30, in 2002. Ever since then he's been working hard and make his living and reputation in the poker world. His nickname, "Unabomber", was given to Phil Laak for his habit of playing poker wearing a hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses. If you ask Phil Laak, he'll say he's only a semi-professional poker player, but his achievements and reputation speak for themselves.
Phil Laak Quick Facts
Cashes: 18
Total Winnings: $754,684
First Place Finishes: 2
WSOP bracelets: 0