Phil Laak WSOP Europe six-handed NLHE event
US poker ace takes down the WSOP Europe six-handed NLHE event
Online and live tournament poker ace Phil ‘The Unabomber' Laak has achieved one of his priority goals – taking possession of a World Series of Poker gold winner's bracelet.
Commenting after he had won the GBP2 500 Six-Handed No-Limit Hold’em title in the World Series of Poker Europe tournament in London, a clearly delighted Laak (38) said: “It feels so good – maximum cheeze shippage and some gold as a bonus! What timing!! And to win it on Jennifer's birthday – it just makes it that much more sweet! Holla!”
The reference to girlfriend Jennifer Tilly, who already holds a WSOP bracelet, underlined Laak's long-time commitment to the duo's romantic relationship.
Phil Laak came into the 2010 WSOPE event with the third most chips and found an early momentum that rarely faltered. He eventually went heads-up against Andrew Pantling before finally winning his first WSOP Europe bracelet.
Laak pocketed a tidy GBP170,802 to go along with the hardware, bringing his career earnings to date to well over $2 million from final table cashes in top tourneys like the WPT, the World Poker Open, the Partouche Poker Tour, the English Poker Open and WSOP.
The sold out event saw 244 entrants battle it out over three days, with Canada's Andrew Pantling holding the chip lead for most of them.
The final table saw Willie Tann eliminated first in sixth place (GBP23,900), followed by Ilan Rouah in fifth place (GBP33,617), David Peters in fourth (GBP48,202), and Chris Bjorin in third (GBP70,473) leaving Pantling and Laak to battle it out in the heads-up.
The final hand came when Pantling raised from the button and Laak pushed back with his entire stack. Pantling called for his final 350 000 and showed Ah-9h to lead over Laak’s Kd-5c. The flop fell 7h-4h-4c giving Pantling plenty of hope by adding a flush draw. But the turn brought a 5d and the crowd became electrified as Phil took the lead. The Qc on the river changed nothing for Pantling and Laak took down his first WSOP bracelet.
Pantling proved a worthy runner-up but will be disappointed with the final result after doing so well over the three days; he takes home a second placing paycheck for GBP105,506.
