Marcel Luske
Poker player, rules advocate, European champion, mentor, jet-setter and all-around good guy, Marcel Luske is one of the most recognizable and enjoyable poker players in the tournament scene today. From his upside-down sunglasses to his smiling face and singing table banter, Luske is always a favorite with both the cameras and fans alike.European Player of the Year in 2001, Luske first came to US attention at the World Series of Poker in 2003 with his 14th place finish. But it was his 2nd place finish in the 7-card Stud event and then his 10th place finish in the Main Event in 2004 that vaulted him to celebrity status. The ESPN cameras took note of his mentorship and friendship with young gun David Williams, and ran increased footage of Luske as Williams made his run to a 2nd place finish behind champion Greg Raymer.
As an advocate of codified rules for tournament poker, Luske has recently joined the advisory board of the World Federation of Poker, along with such stars as Clonie Gowen and Greg Raymer. When asked why he is so passionate about a universal set of rules for poker, Luske replied "For any poker player, it is very nice to know that you can rely on the protection of the rules of the game. Then you don't have the need to interfere personally, which may upset other players. You want to get what you deserve and win fairly within the rules."
He is instantly recognizable in his dapper suits and his upside-down sunglasses, which he sported for years to not only reduce the glare from overhead fluorescent lights and mask his eyes from his opponents, but also to allow him to see under the rims of the sunglasses and read the board without reducing his light to see the cards in play. He has recently become involved with PokerSpecs, a line of sunglasses designed especially for poker players with tilted lens to mimic the effect of Luske's upside-down shades. "Now PokerSpecs are here, I can finally wear a pair of sunglasses the right way around!"
More than just a champion poker player (he would be named European Player of the Year again in 2004 after that fantastic WSOP) , Luske is a father of two and a black belt in karate. With a heart as big as his smile, Luske won the support of amateur poker players and writers worldwide when he took time from his WSOP tournament play in 2005 to make a personal telephone call to poker blogger Charlie Tuttle as he lay dying of cancer.
Luske sang and joked with Charlie, who was too sick to talk, but laughed for the first time in weeks at Luske's antics. A singer/songwriter as well as poker champ, Luske has since written a song for Charlie that he is hoping to get published in the US this year.
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