To say "I love playing poker" is an understatement. I adore the game of poker. It is a game that gives you the satisfaction of knowing how to make good decisions while under pressure. A game that is in fact a game of skill, rather than a game of chance. A game that pits you against other players' wits, and not just their abilities.

Missoula is the home to many great poker players.

Years ago, I would find myself staying out until sunrise playing poker at the legendary Oxford Saloon. The poker games varied from 7 Card Split to 3 Card Draw. Games that only old west cowboys and true poker players knew how to play. Then there was the ever-popular Texas Hold'em.

I cut my teeth playing cards at the Oxford.

Soon, I found myself looking for bigger games. I found myself with a seat at a table at the Silvertip Casino. That is when I first met Layne Flack. A World Series of Poker champion. Playing cards at the same table as me. Surrounded by other talented poker players from around western Montana. Needless to say, I was swimming in a shark tank. But, I did manage to beat Layne in a hand. Which made me feel much like the following scene from the movie "Rounders."

According to Card Player

On Sunday night, the World Series of Poker announced the late Layne Flack as the 61st member of the Poker Hall of Fame. Flack, who passed away in July of last year at the age of 52, beat out nine other nominees including players Bertrand ‘ElkY’ Grospellier, Brian Rast, Josh Arieh, Kathy Liebert, Michael Mizrachi, Mike Matusow, as well as PokerStars founder Isai Scheinberg, WPT Director Matt Savage, and WSOP commentating duo Lon McEachern and Norman Chad.

Layne was originally from Rapid City, South Dakota. But, spent most of his poker career bouncing back and forth between Las Vegas and Missoula. Layne had won 6 World Series of Poker bracelets before he passed away last year.

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