Phil “THE UNABOMBER” Laak Becomes Two-Time Champion

Phil 'The Unabomber' Laak Becomes Two-Time Champion In GSN’S Poker Royale: The James Woods Gang vs. The Unabombers

October 29, 2005 – Phil “The Unabomber” Laak has struck again in GSN’s THE JAMES WOODS GANG VS. THE UNABOMBERS IN POKER ROYALE. In a battle of strategy and luck, the hooded and sunglass wearing captain of “The Unabombers” team went heads-up against top female poker player Kathy Liebert for “The James Woods Gang” and took home the final grand prize of $50,000.

This marks Laak’s second win in POKER ROYALE. He previously placed first in POKER ROYALE: COMEDIANS VS. PROS, beating out 12 other players. Liebert, who is a GSN two-time champion on POKER ROYALE (THE WPPA CHAMPIONSHIP and BATTLE OF THE SEXES) went into the final round as the top point earner for her team.

In the final hand of the game, Liebert held pocket eights, with Laak sitting on ace and queen of spades. In usual “Unabomber” fashion, he raised his hood and moved all in, with Liebert following. The flop was 9-7-6 all spades, giving Laak the nut flush. When the turn was a king of hearts, the final card was meaningless.

Making it to the final table was no easy feat. The captain’s choice format meant that players had to perform in the early rounds and they also had to earn their team captains trust that they could do it under the pressure of the final table. Laak chose Hassan Habib and Cyndy Violette, and aside from Liebert and himself, Woods chose Ted Forrest.

Playing in previous matches for “The James Woods Gang” were Kathy Liebert (ranked in the top 20 players of all time, winner of POKER ROYALE: BATTLE OF THE SEXES), Bob Goen (Entertainment Tonight), Ted Forrest (five World Series of Poker bracelets), Susie Isaacs (two World Series of Poker bracelets) and Nicole Sullivan (Hot Properties, Mad TV).

Representing “The Unabombers” were Jennifer Tilly (2005 WSOP Women’s Final Table bracelet winner), Cyndy Violette (1st Place 2004 World Series of Poker Seven Card Stud), Danny Masterson (That 70’s Show), Hassan Habib (2nd Place 2004 World Poker Tour Championship) and Gail O’Grady (NYPD Blue, American Dreams).

THE JAMES WOODS GANG VS. THE UNABOMBERS IN POKER ROYALE is part of GSN’s Casino Night, airing every Friday at 10:00PM ET/PT. POKER ROYALE: BATTLE OF THE AGES premieres Friday, November 4th at 10:00PM ET/PT. The seven-episode series features six top players over 60 competing against six best players under 30 for a grand prize of $50,000.

Source: GSN Press Release

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