My Poker Heroes

A poker and television star rolled into one, Phil Laak, is counted among the most popular players on the circuit. This Irish born player is a graduate in mechanical engineering, which completed from the University of Massachusetts. Now in his early 30s, Phil even got a good job as an engineer, but he somehow didn’t feel satisfied. It was while on a vacation to Europe that he decided that when it came to a profession, he would choose something that enjoys doing, while at the same time make loads of money.

It was sometime in 1995 that he started playing backgammon in Vegas, gradually participating in some tournaments with moderate stakes. He was already a good at backgammon while at college and this skill helped him make money in these tournaments. It was soon after this that the poker bug bit him. He became a regular at New York’s underground poker scene. Pretty soon he relocated to California, where he began to concentrate full time on the game. He sharpened his skills, playing in casinos around the Bay Area for many years.

His experience helped him make it to the final of the prestigious Legends of Poker Main Event in 2003. His aggressive style of play made him an instant star. He then went on to win the WPT Invitational, defeating an equally famous player, Humberto Brenes, in Los Angeles in 2004. Come 2005, he finished second in the World Series of Poker.

He is a popular figure on television hosting the immensely popular television series ‘Hollywood Hold’em on E! Entertainment Television. He is also a regular on the ‘Poker Royale’ series telecast on GSN. A multi talented person, he also dabbles in the stock market and is known to have interests in the real estate markets as well. The future holds immense possibilities for this hard working poker star — who is also Antonio Esfandiari‘s best friend.