You might think that someone who goes by the name "Maverick" is either a Top Gun pilot or a six-gun-toting gambler - you would be half right when it comes to Marek Kolk. Kolk is a gambler, but only in the realm of poker tournaments - in fact, he came by his nickname the old fashioned way, when someone mispronounced his name. Reminiscent of Doyle Brunson picking up "Texas Dolly" when someone mispronounced his first name, Marek Kolk is Estonian, and when he says his name fast with an accent, people think he is saying "Maverick."
Outside of his "funny story" about how he picked up his nickname, Kolk has another poker related accomplishment that makes a great tale - namely, how he beat out pro poker player Roland De Wolfe, among others, to become the winner of the 2006 UK Pacific Poker Open. He had won at poker before, although his largest tournament win in the past was $18,000, veritable peanuts compared to the $250,000 first prize check he picked up from the UK Pacific Poker Open, his absolute best finish in 8 years of playing poker.
Kolk has a daughter and a son, who live with him and his wife in the capital city of Estonia - Tallinn. In addition to playing poker he enjoys bridge, watching football and high jumping.
