08 Jun 10
Phil Laak Breaks World Record for Longest Poker Session
On the 2nd of June, Phil Laak started his challenge to surpass Paul Zimbler's previous record for longest poker session. While he initially set himself the goal to play for 80 hours, he eventually made it to 115 hours.
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| Photo source: BettingPro |
Following his record-setting achievement, Laak said that this was "one of the most wonderful journeys I've ever taken. It's touchingly human and beautiful on so many levels...I have never had more fun playing poker in my entire life."
He ended his record challenge with a profit of $6,766 and he will donate it all to the Camp Sunshine charity organization.
During these 115 hours, Laak played the $10/$20 cash games at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and several notable names were seated at his table, including Scotty Nguyen, Antonio Esfandiari or Andrew Robl.
The previous record was held by Paul Zimbler, who played for 78 hours and 25 minutes in September last year.
Below you can find a short clip done after Laak officially broken the world record for longest poker session:
#1
roswellx, 08 Jun 10 13:37
Does this mean he didn't sleep for 115 hours?#2
alliennas, 08 Jun 10 14:28
Yes.#3
vhallee, 08 Jun 10 14:32
#1: He had about 5 minutes break every hour as far as I know, but that's pretty much it. He basically played almost 5 days continuously, that sick bastard :D#4
Blackjed, 08 Jun 10 15:05
omg sick, why pipls do this?#5
samni, 08 Jun 10 18:11
He had permission to collect breaks of 5 minutes. So he could in fact sleep 2 hours a day...#6
Dendra, 08 Jun 10 18:37
army has long ago tested its pilots to see how long can they stay awake - the result was: 72 hours.after 72 hours, pilots began to hallucinate and there was no possible way to keep them awake for longer than that.
consequently, I doubt Laak played 115 hours of poker, he must've slept quite a bit during this "challenge" and not sure about others but I find it kinda lame calling this "xx hours straight" because it isn't.
it's a nice achiev. and all but it's a weird record (if he wasn't allowed to sleep for one minute, then it would be what it allegedly is)
#7
Hahaownedlolz, 08 Jun 10 22:19
Well you also have to consider the fact that pilots fly in million dollar airplanes/helicopters. So they can't take big risks like that. Plus a pilot has to be 100% alert to do his job properly. As long as you can move your arm and open your eyes you can play poker.I think he took one small nap in the challenge.. It's still impressive. Although i got to agree it's a bit weird..
#8
Ramble, 09 Jun 10 02:10
@6 - I think you'll find that most long endurance challenges of this sort allow for short breaks at regular intervals. I agree that it is not really "continuous", but 115 hours is impressive none the less.I was watching for a bit and I think it was around hour 29 that he combined several of his 5 minute breaks into a 19 min break to shower and change clothes.
#9
Titangizmo, 09 Jun 10 07:16
So you guys don't think it's normal that he gets a breaks? Man got to go to the toilet now and then...And these are the rules for all world records in endurance not just this one.
#10
Dendra, 09 Jun 10 08:04
#9 not toilet breaks, obviously those dont mean he wasnt awake for xxx hours straight. problem is this wasn't 115h of straight poker, this was 115 of straight poker with minimum sleep breakswhich would be pretty much another classification of a record - let's say if I play 115h of poker with 5h sleep breaks every day, laak did the same only with a lot smaller breaks - which doesnt make it what the "record" misleads you to be.