Layne Flack, who passed away Monday afternoon, was a "one-of-a-kind" player, according to those who paid tribute to the late great poker pro on Twitter.
Flack was found dead in his Las Vegas home less than 24 hours ago. The cause of death is still unknown. He was 52 years old and is survived by his 26-year-old daughter, Hailey.
Over the course of a 23-year professional poker career, the South Dakota native who spent most of his adult life in Las Vegas won six World Series of Poker bracelets, one of just 16 players to accomplish that feat. He cashed for over $5 million in live tournaments, which also included a 2003 World Poker Tour title.
Mourning his loss
The poker community appears to have taken the passing of Layne Flack hard. He certainly made his mark on the industry, and not only because he was a great player. Matt Savage, the WPT's executive tour director, referred to Flack as "the best poker player in the early 2000s" on social media. Many other prominent members of the poker industry went beyond Flack's prowess on the felt, and brought up something far more important: his character and personality.
"RIP Layne Flack. You couldn’t be around @back2backflack without laughing and having fun. He was always the life of the party. I can’t believe this was 11 years ago," Amanda Negreanu, Daniel Negreanu's wife, tweeted along with a picture of her and Flack together during the old PokerStars Big Game show.
"So sad to hear of the passing of Layne Flack - we go way way back to the days I started playing and working in poker. One of a kind and an amazing player - I send my sincerest condolences to all his friends and family," Tony G posted.
Most of Flack's success in poker came during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Poker fans who fell in love with the game during the poker boom era (2003-2011) recall watching Flack entertain the audience during numerous televised poker events, including the World Series of Poker. Many of the big stars from that era showed up on social media Monday evening to support their deceased peer.
"I feel gutted right now over the news of the death of Layne Flack. Easily the funniest guy I've known. He was my poker hero when I started out and eventually a good friend. But I never stopped looking up to him. I loved that guy and I'm really going to miss him. RIP bro," Dutch Boyd, who made a name for himself in poker during the same period as Layne Flack, tweeted.
"I’m completely devastated and saddened by this loss... loved loved loved Layne Flack ...always a smile and a laugh ...my deepest condolences to the family... rest in peace champ," long-time WPT commentator Vince Van Patten wrote.
Academy award-nominated Actress and avid poker player Jennifer Tilly tweeted: "#RipLayneFlack So sad to hear of his passing. He had a great personality. It was always fun when he sat down next to me at a poker table. He had an irreverent sense of humor and an always upbeat attitude. The poker world will miss him. So sad."
The poker community showed the love to one of the game's most legendary players. Flack was described by his peers as someone with a great sense of humor and one of the best poker players in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Featured image source: Flickr
