ATV Accident Lands Poker Gambler Phil Laak In Hospital

Professional poker players are attracted to the thrill that comes along with the unknown involved in playing poker at a high level. The thrill seekers often do not leave the excitement for only the poker table. Antonio Esfandiari and Phil Laak were examples of that this week.

A vacation camping trip to Oregon started with the two poker pros enjoying the great outdoors. It turned hectic, however, after Laak was injured in an ATV accident. The poker player, known as "The Unabomber" in poker circles, was hospitalized after the accident.

Esfandiari provided the play by play on his Twitter account from the hospital. Esfandiari reported that Laak had broken seven bones after the two "went a little 2 crazy atv'ing in the doons." The next step for Laak will be recovery, which could take several months.

Esfandiari and Laak may have been taking a break from poker after the grueling stretch of the World Series of Poker from May through July in Las Vegas. The two poker stars had entered some of the biggest events during the WSOP, but neither was able to make it to the final table at the main event.

The nine finalists that did make the final table will return to the Rio in November to play for the millions of dollars and gold bracelet that comes along with winning the main event. ESPN, meanwhile, has started airing all of the preliminary events at the WSOP on their main network.

Poker has become one of the top participant sports in the world over the past decade. The main event at the WSOP drew over 7,000 players, second most of all time. The entire WSOP was also the second biggest event in terms of overall entries into the over fifty tournaments that were held.

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