Phil Laak Breaks Poker Record

Pro poker player Phil Laak didn’t just set the world record recently for most hours spent playing poker, he shattered the previous record.

In late May, Laak announced that he would attempt to break the world record set by Paul Zimbler in the fall of 2009. Zimbler played for 78 straight hours.

Laak broke the record this past weekend by playing for 115 hours. According to those in attendance, Laak decided when he equaled the past world record that he wanted to continue playing so he could make a record that would be hard to beat.

“There have been a few times where I realized if I didn’t stand up, I wouldn’t be able to keep going,” Laak said. “I’ve been stretching a lot. I’m the stretchmaster. It helped me through.”

Laak spent part of the ongoing World Series of Poker playing for the world record title. He was playing for charity, specifically for Camp Sunshine, a camp that’s devoted to providing a camp experience for children suffering from life-threatening illnesses.

To prepare for his endurance feat, Laak worked for six months in advance to ensure that his body and mind were ready for what was to come. He eliminated fried foods, sweets and cheese from his diet. While he was playing those 115 hours, a nutritionist he’d hired delivered foods to Laak so he could maintain a steady and healthy blood sugar level.

Laak – whose career winnings exceed $2.5 million – is frequently referred to as the “Unabomber” because he’s known for wearing a hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses at poker tables.