Sadly another poker player with a long public history of substance abuse dies much to young. Even when reaching sobriety that life style takes a serious toll on you. We can all only hope for his family's sake his passing was from natural causes (to be clear I am NOT suggesting otherwise).

**** that is young

Layne is one of the poker players I enjoyed watching and wanted to see more of. RIP sir.

Mike Matusow Memorial for Layne. Doyle was on, Ted Forrest, Phil Hellmuth, Scotty and more. Live now. Been on over an hour. You can rewind to beginning.

I can’t believe this, so so sad. My first recollection of Layne was on some old poker tv episodes (might have been the big game where they had the “cannon”). He wasn’t playing, but would sit, super laid back , chatting to Amanda Leatherman on the sofa. Was whilst he was coaching Hellmuth who kept getting beaten up by Tony G.

Fast forward a few years and after a few spin ups I find myself in the private room at Aria with him, Hellmuth, Matusow, Eli Elezra and a few other Random’s. This was summer 2019. They were playing mixed games which I have a bit of experience of. Layne let me rail him for a bit, walked me through the different games and how to play them, and was incredibly nice and welcoming. He had the kind of aura about him that made you feel super relaxed.

I saw him the next day at the WSOP 10k PLO and he took the time to come say hi, catch up, and cheekily asked me for a smoke of my vape. Pre-Covid, how could I refuse? Played with him a couple times at aria and he was always fun to gamble with.

Genuinely so sad to hear this news. I probably bumped into him 4/5 times over that summer and really enjoyed his company. A total gentleman, and a fun guy to be around.

RIP Layne. Maximum respect.


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I remember the first times I watched him thinking he was giving a huge tell by licking his lips and then realizing he licked his lips a lot.

Very solid and classy player, RIP.

It’s really cool Matusow does these tributes. The Mike Sexton was one great and this one was really good too. Good job Mikey.

Always sad to see people die so young, RIP

Its super weird to me that poker has arrived at a place where someone like Layne Flack can die and most people are like "I think he was some guy from the old boom days".

He had 6 bracelets and won multiples in one year... twice.

In poker, he was as lethal as they come.

it's probably the fact that he did nothing but drink himself to death in the 20 years afterward

poker is a super unhealthy lifestyle for some. RIP

His last bracelet was in 2008, square in the middle of the boom years. He's had two six figure cashes in the last decade. What's super weird about seeing him that way?

One of those legendary figures during the boom years. Legacy a bit tarnished IMO by continuing to associate with Russ Hamilton post UB. Sorry to see him gone.

Yes he had a boyish look when he was beast in the early 2000's, near the end of the boom I don't recall seeing him sober much and he might have gone to rehab for drinking and possibly cocaine??

I do recall him cheering for Scotty Ngyuen when Scotty had his nuclear meltdown on ESPN because he couldn't get a cocktail(fast enough).

Sad news but not shocking...

What happened to the Internet Forum? My link takes me to some kind of poker rooms forum.

Mike has another layne flack video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRxa5GA07k0

How did he die?

Who knew his name was really Dee?
https://www.kinkadefunerals.com/obituary/de-layne-flack

No idea, but "paying the piper for the party in your 20's-30s" would be the -500 favorite here.

One of Russ Hamilton's boys. Correct? Big buddies on the golf course even after Russ was found to be one of the biggest cheats in the history of poker. So whatever. I hope he gets to rest somewhere.

Orly> So was Potripper. But sure, young death sucks.

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At least he had fun, He did it his way! RIP

Just like the rest of us............. Life is short, party hard, play your best poker have fun!!!! Got no time for negative people as I get older, none.

He had super fun!!!!!!!!!!!! Be real, nobody wants to go out old and worn out. God Bless Him, RIP

nobody wants to go out at 52 either.

If the highest priority in your garbage life is gambling, hookers and blow, sure.

If you're actually loved and valued by others (and have others in your life you love/value for the people they are), being around them as long as possible is much better than short term thrills.

I must have hit a nerve. Life is short, have fun, be kind and enjoy yourself!