Phil Laak Smashes Poker Endurance record
Professional poker player, Phil ‘the Unabomber’ Laak has smashed the record for the longest consecutive period of time for playing poker.
Thousands of viewers watched the world record attempt online which kicked off on the 2nd June 2010 at 1.00am local time in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The latest attempt broke the original Guinness world record set by Larry Olmsted in Connecticut back in 2004 with Laak putting in a phenomenal 79 hours in at the table.
Guinness has yet to sanction Phil Laak’s attempt as the documentation and durations need to be officially reviewed and approved by the authority before the record can be confirmed. It is anticipated that an official notice of the new world record would be expected in the coming months.
The 37 year old also smashes the unofficial poker endurance record which is widely accepted in the poker world which was originally set by Paul Zimmer for 78 hours and 45 minutes of straight poker played in London in 2009.
Laak was allowed 5 minute breaks for every hour of poker played and had nutritionists standing by to provide him with meals every 5 hours. It was confirmed that Laak had been on a special diet since January in order to aid him in his efforts for the world record.
Laak reported that achieving both records has been no mean feat and took an epic 4 days to reach the required duration.
“There have been a few times where I realized if I didn’t stand up I wouldn’t be able to keep going, I’ve been stretching a lot. I’m the stretchmaster. It helped me through."
Phil Laak.
After Laak achieved the record he vowed he would try and continue right up to the 90 hours set in his original plan.
The pro has won a staggering 2.5 million from tournaments throughout his career and commented that it had always been his dream to break the Guinness world record.
As well the prestige of the world record, Laak plans to give half the winnings of the poker games played to the charity Camp Sunshine, a non profit organisation who give support a respite care to children with life long illnesses.
