Layne Flack

Layne Flack (1969-2021) was an American professional poker player from Las Vegas, Nevada. He earned the nickname “Back-to-Back Flack” after winning consecutive events at the Legends of Poker series in 1999 and doing it again at the WSOP in both 2002 and 2003. Born on May 18th, 1969, in Rapid City, South Dakota, Flack amassed total live earnings exceeding $5 million and secured six WSOP bracelets throughout his career. His best live cash of $577,725 was achieved when he triumphed at the 39th WSOP in June 2008.

Tragically, Flack passed away unexpectedly on July 19th, 2021, at the age of 52, with the cause of death still unknown. In 2022, he was posthumously inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame, standing as the sole inductee in the Class of 2022.

Layne Flack: Early Life

Layne Flack was born on May 18th, 1969, in Rapid City, South Dakota. He learned card games from his grandparents but developed a serious interest in poker after high school. At 18, he became a poker dealer in small card clubs in Montana. He gained insights into the game while starting to play competitively. Layne traveled to clubs in Montana and neighboring states.

In 1995, Layne moved to Reno, Nevada, with a woman he met, and their daughter, Hayley, was born. While playing professionally in Reno, he met Huck Seed, the 1996 WSOP champion, who encouraged him to compete in Las Vegas. By 1997, Layne lived alone in Las Vegas, competing against established professionals. During this time, he developed a friendship with poker legend Johnny Chan, who offered him valuable insights and mentorship.

Flack’s 6 WSOP Bracelets

• May 1999 $3,000 Hold’em Pot Limit at the 30th WSOP in Las Vegas (1st place, won $224,400)
• April 2002 $2,000 No Limit Hold’em at the 33rd WSOP in Las Vegas (1st place, won $303,880)
• May 2002 $1,500 No Limit Hold’em at the 33rd WSOP in Las Vegas (1st place, won $268,020)
• May 2nd, 2003, $2,500 Omaha Hi-Lo Split at the 34th WSOP in Las Vegas (1st place, won $119,260)
• May 9th, 2003, $1,500 Limit Hold’em Shootout at the 34th WSOP in Las Vegas (1st place, won $120,000)
• June 2008 $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha at the 39th WSOP in Las Vegas (1st place, won $577,725)

Layne Flack: Live Tournament Participation

Flack began his poker career in June 1994. He participated in a $100 + 20 Omaha Hi/Lo event at the Peppermill Summer Poker Tournament in Reno. Flack finished in 7th place and pocketed $657.

Fast forward to November 2002, Flack competed in a $10,000 + 200 No Limit Hold’em Main Event at the 2002 World Poker Finals in Mashantucket. He finished as a runner-up and earned $186,900.

Two years later, in September 2004, he finished 2nd again in a $6,000 + 200 No Limit Hold’em Final Day at the 2004 Ultimatebet.com Poker Classic in Palm Beach, earning $500,000.

The following year, in June 2005, Flack took part in a $1,500 Pot Limit Hold’em event at the 36th WSOP in Las Vegas. He took 2nd place and cashed for $185,855.

His biggest win came in June 2008. He played in a $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha event at the 39th WSOP in Las Vegas. Layne finished in 1st place and won $577,725 along with a gold WSOP bracelet.

In September 2016, Flack took part in a $2,400 + 100 Main Event at the 2016 The River Poker Series in Thackerville. He placed 4th and received $225,190 in prize money

His final appearance was in June 2019. He entered a $2,500 Mixed Big Bet Event at the 50th WSOP in Las Vegas. Flack finished in 21st place and earned $4,843. This event occurred two years before his passing in 2021.

Conclusion

Layne Flack’s legacy lives on through his six WSOP bracelets and his posthumous induction into the Poker Hall of Fame, a testament to his talent and passion for the game. Though he’s no longer with us, his vibrant spirit and the connections he made in the poker community continue to inspire players everywhere.