Phil Laak biography
Phil Laak was born on September 8, 1972, in Dublin, Ireland, and moved to the United States as a child, eventually earning a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Before turning to poker, he spent time in New York honing his skills at backgammon, later relocating to California to pursue cards professionally.
Laak earned his nickname "The Unabomber" after fellow pro Gus Hansen jokingly supplied him with a hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses that gave him a passing resemblance to the forensic sketch of Theodore Kaczynski, and the look became his trademark at the table. He captured his sole WSOP bracelet at the 2010 World Series of Poker Europe and became a fixture of televised cash games, appearing across six seasons of High Stakes Poker and winning Poker After Dark's cash game format twice.
In 2010, Laak set a Guinness World Record by playing a single poker session lasting 115 hours and 58 minutes at the Bellagio. He is well known for his long-term relationship with actress and poker professional Jennifer Tilly, whom he has faced at the felt on multiple occasions, including a nationally televised PartyPoker final table in 2009.
Career summary
An eccentric, record-setting cash game legend and one-time WSOP bracelet winner best known for his marathon sessions and "Unabomber" persona.
Phil Laak poker winnings
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | WSOP Europe £2,500 Six-Handed No-Limit Hold'embracelet | 1st | £170,802 |
| 2009 | PartyPoker World Open V | 1st | $250,000 |
| 2005 | WSOP $2,500 Pot-Limit Hold'emlost heads-up to Johnny Chan | 2nd | $156,400 |
Verified live tournament earnings: $3,800,000+, plus 1 WSOP bracelet.
2013 - WSOP $111,111 One Drop High Roller - Cash - $173,723
Phil Laak playing style
Known for an unpredictable, theatrical table presence and inventive poker vocabulary, paired with genuine cash-game toughness built over decades at the highest stakes.
Cash games
A high-stakes cash game mainstay, featured across multiple seasons (2-7) of High Stakes Poker and a two-time Poker After Dark cash game winner.
Business & sponsorships
Holds a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst; parlayed his poker fame into television work as an E! Hollywood Hold'em dealer, "I Bet You" co-host alongside Antonio Esfandiari, and a cameo appearance on Knight Rider.
Phil Laak Net Worth
As of November 2026, Phil Laak net worth estimates range from $5 million to $10 million.
Verified live tournament earnings account for $3.8M of prize money. Sponsorships, business ventures and cash games, covered above, make up the rest of the picture. Tournament prize money is not the same as profit: buy-ins, staking deals and taxes are not deducted, so all net worth figures are estimates based on public reporting.
Why Phil matters
The hoodie-and-sunglasses cash game legend nicknamed "The Unabomber," who once played poker for over 115 consecutive hours.
FAQ about Phil Laak
Where does Phil Laak's "Unabomber" nickname come from?
Fellow pro Gus Hansen gave him a hoodie and sunglasses that resembled the forensic sketch of Theodore Kaczynski, and the look stuck as his signature.
What Guinness World Record does Phil Laak hold?
He played the longest single poker session on record, lasting 115 hours and 58 minutes at the Bellagio in 2010.
How much has Phil Laak won playing poker?
Phil Laak has won $3,800,000+ in live tournament earnings.
How many WSOP bracelets does Phil Laak have?
Phil Laak has won 1 WSOP bracelet.