PartyPoker.com World Poker Open V Won By Phil Laak

Phil Laak has won the fifth PartyPokerWorld tournament to take down the title and the $250,000 first place prize. The $10,000 buy-in invitation only competition took place at the Palm Beach Casino in  Mayfair, London, and the format was organised such that winners from 6 preliminary heats progressed directly to the final table with a final seat awarded from a runner up heat.
The final table was a top class affair which included  Mike Sexton, Phil “The Unabomber” Laak, Jennifer Tilly, Luke “Full_Flush1″ Schwartz, Andy Black, Jan Veit and consolation runner up Bodo Sbrzesny of Germany.
Phil Laak found himself seated next to and in position of girlfriend Jennifer Tilly, and fireworks flew early on between the two when Tilly moved all in on Phil’s blind with A A only to be called by his K Q. Tilly doubled up but it wasn’t enough to stop her eventually going out in fifth spot, although she had outlasted both Andy Black out in 7th Place for $15,000 and Poker Hall of Fame candidate Mike Sexton who finished in sixth for a $20,000 pay day.
Austrian Jan Veit proceeded to  eliminate the competition, first Bodo Sbrzesny and then Luke Schwartz to set up a heads up battle for the title agaist Phil Laak. It was an aggressive affair from the outset and before long all the chips were in the centre of the table with Laak holding A-8 to Veit’s A-4. Laak’s double up, although not immediately eliminating Veit, effectively ended his tournament and soon after was finished off after his J 7 lost to Laak’s Q 9.
“This was a wild roller coaster ride and I am proud to have shared it with this amazing cast of characters. They were a tough bunch. Wow – what an honor,” exclaimed a delighted Laak.
Laak’s latest victory brings his live tournament wins to $1,400.000 and gives his $32,000 tournament earnings for 2009 total a much needed boost.
Commenting on the tournament, a PartyPoker.com spokesman said: “Congratulations to Phil for his deserved victory. We’re delighted with how the tournament has gone this week and we had a fantastic final table. We got great feedback on the new triple stack structure and casino atmosphere and are convinced this tournament has introduced a new high standard for single table satellite events of this nature.”