NickZepp 0 Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 There's sort of a thread about this in the David Williams/Phil Laak thread but that's kind of been sidetracked. This stunt really needs to be talked about more in depth. If you haven't heard or haven't followed the WSOP at all here's the details. The Amazing Phil LaakWe've got to give some credit to one of our frequent Shoutbox posters, "fastasleep," for sparking the following investigation, as it looks like we've been duped by the very clever Phil Laak...On our WSOP registration list for Day 1d, Phil was slated to be in Amazon Blue, Table 33, Seat 8. Our reporters then scanned the area and informed us that he was nowhere to be found. Perhaps an error with the registration list? No worries... it happens. He'll turn up eventually, right?Hours had passed and there was still no sign of Laak when we noticed fastasleep's Shout Box post:fastasleep [37 minutes ago]:"Guys - what's up with Phil Laak....I read a news article that saud [sic] he showed up today with an altered appearance, courtesy of a latex mask, make-up, and a false mustache....? Did anyone get any pictures?"To borrow one of Phil's most frequently used lines, "Sick... So sick."At this point, we started doing some investigative reporting and spoke with a few players at the table who'd been there all day."Was Phil Laak in the eight seat to start the day?" we asked Alejandro Parada and Cary Anderson."Never," said Parada. "That guy was old and he never said a word.""The guy in that seat came in late, but he was real old. I watch that show I Bet You all the time and I'm sure it wasn't Laak," said Anderson.A brief discussion ensued at the table and soon thereafter, Anderson altered his original supposition:"You know, the more I think about it, the guy had a big scar... like a big worm. He wore a Texas hat, but I think he was older. I don't know -- it's possible, I guess," he added.Moments later, Anderson put the pieces of the puzzle together, giving us the following explanation (paraphrased):"You know, the guy did come in late and when the dealer asked for his ID, he didn't have any. They then called the floor over and the man in question had a quick discussion with the floorperson away from the table before eventually returning to his seat. 'He's OK,' said the floorman to the table and the player took his seat without saying a single word."The conversation sparked whispers and "What-ifs" amongst the remaining players on Table 33 and suddenly, the mystery was solved...The dealer at the table had been sifting through the registration cards of fallen victims amidst the commotion and then he found it... Amazon Blue 33, Seat 8 -- Phil Laak.Needless to say, we missed his bust-out hand.A clever stunt made for TV? Perhaps... An "I Bet You" prop bet with Antonio Esfandiari? Certainly plausible.... Being Phil Laak and playing an entire Day 1 of the WSOP Main Event incognito? Ab-so-freakin-lutely awesome.Mr. Phil Laak . . . PokerNews salutes you!Here's a couple of pictures of incog PhilFinally HERE is a Cardplayer interview with Laak talking about how he pulled it off. He talks about it for about the first 20 minutes or so. Link to post Share on other sites
mhoward29 0 Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 good pics Link to post Share on other sites
NickZepp 0 Posted July 8, 2008 Author Share Posted July 8, 2008 This will be real fun to see on ESPN. None of the other players knew it was Laak. Link to post Share on other sites
showstopper24 0 Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 That's pretty funny actually. Do you think it was hot under all of the makeup and stuff? Link to post Share on other sites
Canuckickstan 2 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Awesome vid. Great Gag ! Link to post Share on other sites
James D 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Lol... pretty funny.Reminds me though of that thread started by WhataRunnAA (I think?), about a good player playing under someone else's account. This is the live version of that, I guess. Can't see any difference, apart from the fact that this is funny.I'd like to see if they can make up Doyle as a young online player next.. Link to post Share on other sites
jmbreslin 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Maybe if he focused a bit more on his poker he wouldn't have busted out so early.Seriously, it really annoys me when I hear/read stories like this. There are so many people who dream of the chance to play in the ME and will never get the chance to do so, and guys like Laak just take it for granted and goof off. So obnoxious. Link to post Share on other sites
RDog 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 It's funny but I still have major issues with what he did. Link to post Share on other sites
finztotheleft 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Tell the ol' geezer that sideburns went out in 1978 Link to post Share on other sites
Billionaire 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 It's funny but I still have major issues with what he did.....such as? Link to post Share on other sites
NickZepp 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Author Share Posted July 9, 2008 I don't see how this is so bad. He basically pulled off a bluff. This isn't like someone playing under another person's account. This is Phil Laak playing in character. Link to post Share on other sites
Elo and AG 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 I have no problem with what he did. Awesome vid thanks for the link..... Link to post Share on other sites
no not baxter 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 soooooooooooo sick, fkn awesome!! Link to post Share on other sites
Franchise632 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 It's funny but I still have major issues with what he did.I would like to hear more about this...Honestly I don't see how it is any different then wearing glasses and a hat, Dario wearing a scarf around his neck to hide a tell, or countless other things that people use as smoke and mirrors to hide flaws in their game. There are a ballpark of 6400 people at the Main Event that no one has ever heard of or seen on TV and thus no would have information on. I am guessing Phil is trying to give himself an edge. If people don't have a set image of you when you sit down then you can dicate that to them. I think it is a drastic step and don't think it is something that people should do but if it isn't against the rules then more power to him. And the comment about Laak taking it for granted and other dreaming of being able to play in this tournament, is about the dumbest thing ever. Maybe those people should stop dreaming about playing and work at earning what Phil Laak has. Then they can show up actually play instead of talking about it. Link to post Share on other sites
poo in a bag 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Maybe if he focused a bit more on his poker he wouldn't have busted out so early.Seriously, it really annoys me when I hear/read stories like this. There are so many people who dream of the chance to play in the ME and will never get the chance to do so, and guys like Laak just take it for granted and goof off. So obnoxious.loooooooooooooool Link to post Share on other sites
FARGOpokerND 22 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Maybe if he focused a bit more on his poker he wouldn't have busted out so early.Seriously, it really annoys me when I hear/read stories like this. There are so many people who dream of the chance to play in the ME and will never get the chance to do so, and guys like Laak just take it for granted and goof off. So obnoxious.It's not like him entering meant that someone who wanted to play, couldn't. It is his money, he can choose to spend it any way he wishes. I dream of owning an expensive car. I will treat it well if I ever get it, if I see someone worth billions buy one and not treat it well (ride i hard etcetc.), do I have a right to be upset?How about if someone in poverty sees someone playing blackjack for $5 a hand, when that is a meal to them. Should they be upset that people are "wasting" that money?While there may be ethical issues raised with playing under a false persona, there is nothing wrong with him "wasting" his money like that. Link to post Share on other sites
defy 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 It's not like him entering meant that someone who wanted to play, couldn't. It is his money, he can choose to spend it any way he wishes. I dream of owning an expensive car. I will treat it well if I ever get it, if I see someone worth billions buy one and not treat it well (ride i hard etcetc.), do I have a right to be upset?How about if someone in poverty sees someone playing blackjack for $5 a hand, when that is a meal to them. Should they be upset that people are "wasting" that money?While there may be ethical issues raised with playing under a false persona, there is nothing wrong with him "wasting" his money like that.agreed. ps- <3 phil laak, antonio, I bet you, and jeniffer tilly's beautiful breasts. Link to post Share on other sites
mase_gotsem 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 lol thats awsome on so many levels but id like to hear ppl's take on the ethical side of it .. Link to post Share on other sites
RDog 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 ....such as?First off, the fact that he didn't have to show his ID. The biggest issue is: What is next? What if 30 people decided to do this next year? I think letting him play under these conditions sets a pretty nasty precedent. Letting him play as a nitty old man would give him quite an advantage. It's definitely a gray area with where do you draw the line but if not here, then where. Then again, I am someone that doesn't think sunglasses, hoods over your face, etc should be allowed at the tables. Link to post Share on other sites
The Lobster 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Honestly I don't see how it is any different then wearing glasses and a hat, Dario wearing a scarf around his neck to hide a tell, or countless other things that people use as smoke and mirrors to hide flaws in their game. There are a ballpark of 6400 people at the Main Event that no one has ever heard of or seen on TV and thus no would have information on. I am guessing Phil is trying to give himself an edge. If people don't have a set image of you when you sit down then you can dicate that to them. I think it is a drastic step and don't think it is something that people should do but if it isn't against the rules then more power to him.I did think it was definitely funny, but him dressing up like that is way different than the bolded part above. In all those situations, you still know who you are up against, you still know that seat 3 is Dario Minieri underneath that ridiculous scarf, etc. Yes, giant sunglasses and hats hide facial expressions and whatever tells you might be able to get (which I think is certainly important, but highly overrated), but ultimately you know who you are playing against, even if it is Joe Unknown from Walla Walla, WA.People will obviously play differently against Phil Laak than they will against an old guy you don't know. Obviously it isn't against the rules because he spoke with the floorman before sitting down at the table, so more power to him that he can get away from it. But I'm not sure it should be allowed, the same way I'm not sure a guy in a giant chicken suit should be allowed to play either. Likewise, it is pretty much the same as playing on someone else's account online or opening a second account with a new name - you aren't truthfully representing who you actually are. Should wearing crazy faceless masks like these be allowed at a poker table - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10...-Wimbledon.html ?Had he made day 2, would he have played as an old woman? And would that be ok?Just trying to play devil's advocate... Link to post Share on other sites
The Lobster 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 First off, the fact that he didn't have to show his ID.He did actually, but he showed it to the floorman, who then told the dealer it was ok and the right person in the seat. Link to post Share on other sites
Pokerkid555 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 I wub Phil Laak. Awesome. Link to post Share on other sites
Billionaire 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 First off, the fact that he didn't have to show his ID. ...Letting him play as a nitty old man would give him quite an advantageso many things wrong with your logic and this post that i don't even know where to begin, simply amazing Link to post Share on other sites
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