Phil Laak, a popular poker professional player, also goes by the nickname the Unabomber.  Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1972, he now resides in the United States. Laak is not only a poker player but has a wide variety of interests, including motorcycles, judo, scuba and skydiving.  Phil Laak played cards with his family as a youth and subsequently became quite familiar with card games.  This familiarity created an affinity for such games. He found that he very much enjoyed them and decided later, to become a professional poker player.

What is extremely unique about the Laak is his approach to the game. While other players may believe in systems, study, practice and the practical, Laak believes in what is known as higher order thinking which he incorporates into his game.  He uses this type of thinking to create connections that are psychic in nature, with his competitors. He also experiences what he calls lucid dreaming. According to him, while asleep and dreaming, he sees and plays certain hands continually. He believes that this helps him understand what's going on subconsciously in the other players mind and also allows him to identify your sub-conscience tells.  These tells don't fit the normal definition. They aren't things that can be seen or heard. Laak claims that he simply feels them and can identify them when they occur in his opponents.

Phil’s first introduction to high-stakes poker came about in New York City in the late 1990s.  He spent time playing in New York City at an underground club. After that introduction, he began to participate in tournaments.  He ended up doing quite well. He begin to build his reputation as an excellent poker player but also somewhat of a loose cannon.

Some of Phil Laak’s most lack notable successes includes a sixth place finish at the Bellagio Five Diamond tournament during the WPT season four where he won $160,000.  He finished in first place at the WPT invitational during the WPT Season two, winning $100,000.  In 2008, at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Event One, World Championship Pot Limit Hold’em tournament, he placed ninth and won more than $74,000.

Laak is known as the Unabomber because of his apparel at the tables. He often wears dark sunglasses and a hooded sweatshirt. Besides being a professional poker player, he also has a collegiate degree in mechanical engineering.

Look for Phil Laak to be a continual presence on the poker tables. His unique approach to the game and his success makes him relevant and interesting to follow. It will be interesting to see how his game grows and perhaps even changes as his career goes forward. Will his “psychic” abilities run out or will they make him one of the games greats?