Phil Laak, a popular poker player that is a regular on television shows like High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark, has shattered the world record for continuous poker play. Phil Laak sat at the $10/$20 No Limit Holdem tables on June 2nd, 2010 at the Bellagio and set his eyes on being inducted into the Guiness Book of World Records. He has achieved his goal and then some.
The previous record for longest continuous poker session was set in 2009 by Paul Zimbler. His session was 78 hours, 25 minutes, and 45 seconds long. Phil Laak has shattered that record and is looking to keep his record in the books for a long time. For Laak’s record to be valid, the entire session must be videotaped, witnesses must be present, and Laak would only be allowed a five minute break per hour (with the option of pooling his break minutes).
Phil Laak’s record attempt continues as he has already passed the 100 hour mark. There is no telling how far he’ll go but his Twitter page hints at stopping at a prime number: “I love Ben Tilly. He reminds me…”Lots of primes after 100. 101 103 107 109 113 then long wait to 127.” Thx buddy..” A handful of fellow poker professionals were there to cheer him on such as girlfriend Jennifer Tilly, ex-roommate Antonio Esfandiari, and the “Prince of Poker,” Scotty Nguyen. Half of his session’s winnings will go to Camp Sunshine, an organization that runs summer camps for children with terminal illnesses.
FlopTurnRiver will keep you updated with any new developments in this great story.