Phil "Unabomber" Laak Headlines The Bluff Europe Poker Academy’s Final Stop – London

The Casino at the Empire will be ground zero for ultimate poker lecture this Saturday, 23 May

22 May, 2009 (London, UK) - London’s Casino at the Empire is gearing up to host the final leg of Bluff Europe’s Poker Academy this Saturday, 23 May. Europe’s biggest poker magazine continues its crusade to share the do’s and don’ts of the poker trade. And after an incredible three events in Manchester, Birmingham and Dublin, the Academy moves to its final stop on the tour, London’s Casino at the Empire this Saturday, 23 May.

WHO: Phil Laak and Alex ‘Pickleman’ Rousso share their genius on all things poker.

WHAT: Bluff Europe’s Poker Academy - The day will comprise of three hours of interactive lectures followed by four hours of tournament play with direct supervision from the pros. The first half of the lecture will cover some of the most crucial concepts in professional poker, such as the fundamental ‘Theory of Poker’, luck and variance, dealing with defeat and bankroll management. There will also be an exercise in WSOP hand analyses, as well as the opportunity to send the pros bust when they make guest appearances during the tournament.

WHERE: The Casino at the Empire, located right in the heart of London’s Leicester Square, is an exciting, 24-hour venue that opened just under two years ago. It boasts two floors of casino and poker tables along with two restaurants and four bars. It has hosted the World Series of Poker Europe and is London’s premiere venue for poker and casino lovers.

WHEN:Saturday, 23 May

WHY: Because who better than Laak to teach how to become a poker legend!

“I’m really psyched up for our last and biggest leg of the series, which brings us back home to London. We’ve got two great pros in Ian Frazer and Phil Laak, and the venue – the Shadow bar at the Empire Casino in Leicester Square – is absolutely top class,” says Alex Russo.

About The Poker Academy Team

Phil Laak is definitely a person people remember in the poker world. He received his nickname, "Unabomber", because he always wears a hooded sweatshirt (hood up) while sitting at the poker table.

He started playing poker in 1999 but before 2003 he only entered eight tournaments, including the main event at the World Series of Poker three years in a row. His appearances on the World Poker Tour have made him one of the most popular players on the circuit and have also helped him land many television gigs. At one time, he was the host of E! Hollywood Holdem. He has also appeared on GSN's Poker Royale, High Stakes Poker and NBC's Poker After Dark.

Alex Rousso has a PhD in evolutionary psychology and has taught university undergraduates. He ran the family pickle importing business until he started making more money per hour playing poker. He now writes a column for Bluff Europe (as "Pickleman") and can be found most days online at the PLO cash tables.

There are still places available for London so interested parties should hurry if they want to secure a place.

Tickets cost £125 + £25, which includes the tournament buy-in. For more information or to sign-up, please visit www.bluffeurope.com/pokeracademy.