The much anticipated PartyPoker Premier League IV kicks off on February 12th, at the M Resort Casino, Las Vegas. One of the poker world’s most notable invitational events, the tournament will feature high profile poker names such as Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, David Benyamine, Luke “Fullflush” Schwartz and Tony G.
Poker legend Doyle Brunson had previously been on that illustrious list too, but was recently forced to pull out after a combination of fatigue from travelling and recovery from dental surgery caught up with the 76 year old Texan. His replacement was announced on Tuesday and will be one Phil Laak.
Laak is excited about taking part in the competition, predicting that the tournament will be “the best ride ever, full stop”. Commenting that the $100,000 buy-in will be “the most money I have ever wagered against the toughest field I have ever faced”, Laak showed further respect for the fellow poker professionals he will be competing against, describing Negreanu and Hellmuth’s tournament records as “truly amazing”. Laak is no mug himself though, with over $1.8 million in tournament earnings to his name, thanks largely to eight cash finishes at the World Series of Poker and a World Poker Tour title.
The PartyPoker Premier League IV prize pool is $1.5 million, as the sponsors are adding $300,000 to the $1.2 million of buy-in fees, which is the largest prize pool in the competition’s short history. The event was first staged in 2007 and was won by Juha Helppi, while Andy Black of Northern Ireland won the second series. Last time out, JC Tran triumphed and he will return this year to defend his title. Tony G and Roland de Wolfe are two more players with form in the competition that will take part this year, both having cashed in the last two Premier League series.
The 37 year old Laak is nicknamed “The Unabomber” due to his trademark sunglasses and hooded sweatshirt, which apparently gives him a passing resemblance to the famous police sketch of Theodore Kaczynski, the mail bomber of the same nickname. No shrinking violet, Laak is also well known for his bizarre antics at the poker table, from doing press ups and dancing after winning pots to crouching beside the dealer to get the first glimpse of a card as it is dealt.
One thing’s for certain, with Laak, Tony G and Fullflush all competing in the PartyPoker Premier League IV, there will never be a dull moment!
Betsson Poker is a great poker room and offers 40% cash back Note that US players can not play here | |
| Advert | Read more » |
Poker News
| Related Articles
|
Submit a Comment