The 40th Annual World Series of Poker is only weeks away. Between now and the start of the Main Event BluffMagazine.com will be presenting the 40 Greatest Champions in WSOP history exclusively on WorldSeriesofPoker.com.
Layne Flack is a curious case of old school meets new school. The six-time bracelet winner bridges the gap between the old guard of poker and the newer young guns. Flack got his beginning in Montana and South Dakota casinos as a dealer, but realized he could make more on the other side of the table. He impressed Johnny Chan so much when he first started his pro career that Chan became Flack’s mentor.
Also known as “Back to Back Flack” from winning two bracelets in consecutive tournaments he played in 2003, the first in Limit Omaha Hi/Lo and the second in a Limit Hold ‘Em Shootout. He won his first bracelet in 1999 in a Pot Limit Hold ‘Em event. Flack picked two more bracelets in 2002 both in No Limit Hold ‘Em; his second win came when he beat his mentor Johnny Chan heads up. His highest finish in the Main Event came in 2005 when he cashed with a 194th place finish.
Following his rush of success Flack experienced a few personal setbacks while still managing top level play. Flack has always been a drinker at the table, but he has candidly talked about his drug addiction damaging his game. He was treated at a rehab facility in 2004 following an intervention. He returned to the top of the mountain last year winning his sixth bracelet to date when he won a Pot Limit Hold ‘Em event that featured long time friend Ted Forrest at the final table.
Flack has three WPT final tables to his credit with one win when he beat the star studded WPT Invitational in 2003. The final table proved to be difficult with the likes of Jerry Buss, David Chiu, Men “The Master” Nguyen, and Tony Ma all vying for the title.
Flack’s dead on reads at the table has brought him to 21 final tables in notable high buy-in tournaments. Flack may be one of the best flop game players today. His new school flop game strategy traces its beginnings to 5 Card Stud in Deadwood, South Dakota; not much is more old school than that.