Deal Me In -- Layne FlackAn Exclusive Excerpt from Phil Hellmuth's New Book |
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In its pages are never-before-revealed details 
of the lives of some of the biggest names in poker. Phil Hellmuth’s new book profiles 20 of the biggest poker players in the world, giving the reader an intimate look at the game’s biggest celebrities.
Deal Me In, a collection of autobiographical accounts from many of poker’s elite, is now available to order online exclusively at www.pokerbrat.com. The book highlights the struggles, obstacles, and tragedies that 20 of the greatest poker pros have overcome in their journeys to the top.
CardPlayer.com is providing exclusive excerpts from the book each Sunday. This week’s passage focuses on Layne Flack, who talks about his troubles with drug use in this excerpt:
“I was enjoying good success at the tables in 2002 and 2003, but the lifestyle I was living was rapidly catching up to me. In 2004, things really started to go downhill. I was living in a one-bedroom apartment with my girlfriend, Paulette. I couldn’t pay the rent. I wasn’t eating. The drug use had nearly consumed me. Paulette called my family on several occasions. She’d say, “You need to come here. He’s in serious trouble.” But every time my family called, I would convince them that Paulette was just trying to get attention. It was all an act on my part. I was in horrible shape. I didn’t care if lived or died. Thankfully, Paulette had the presence of mind and the fortitude to call my brother and convince him that I needed help.
“Neither Paulette nor my brother had money, but they knew that I was close with Daniel (Negreanu), and that I had helped Daniel out years before. My brother called him on my behalf and said, “Daniel, Layne is in really bad shape. I love my brother more than anything. He needs real help. I’m afraid we’re going to lose him.” Daniel stopped him on the spot: “I’m here,” he said. “What do you need?”
“That night Paulette came to me and said, “Layne, you’re in a really bad way. If I get you into rehab, will you go?” I was at the end, rock bottom. I knew this might be my last chance, so I said, “Yes, I will. But where will we come up with that kind of money?”
“Your brother has already spoken to Daniel,” she said. “He’s taken care of everything.” I was speechless. Daniel had paid $60,000 out of his own pocket to get me into drug rehabilitation. It was an act of kindness that I’ll never forget. I have no idea what might’ve happened to me if he had not been there.
“The rehabilitation was a huge help, but it did not solve my problem. It only put a bandage on it. Fortunately, I managed to stay off drugs long enough to win my fifth bracelet in 2004, but soon after the dark side of the Vegas lifestyle sucked me back in, and I found myself right back where I started.”
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