Mario Flores

Mario Flores was born and raised in Chicago before relocating to Wisconsin with his family in his senior year of high school. He is the oldest of six children and was raised by his mother, Dawn, and stepfather, Bob. Flores first learned to play poker from his family, often playing seven-card stud with his aunts and uncles. His Uncle John Yacko was a major influence, taking him under his wing and schooling him on card strategy. Flores recalls a childhood tradition where he would gamble Halloween candy with his siblings, often winning but having to give it back when his parents intervened.

After working odd jobs and primarily as a bartender, Flores turned to professional poker. He became a fixture in the Wisconsin and Chicagoland poker scenes both live and online. Flores is best known for his expertise in Big O, a variant of pot-limit Omaha where players receive five cards and the pot is split between the high and low hands (8-or-better). His skill in this game earned him the nickname 'Big O Boss.' In a 2022 interview with PokerNews, he discussed how his natural aptitude for cards and his uncle's mentorship shaped his career.

Mario Flores has four children—two boys and two girls—with his oldest being 18 and his youngest nearly six years old (as of 2022). He maintains a close relationship with his uncle John, who has supported him through health challenges including diabetes and cancer. Flores continues to travel for poker, sometimes bringing his uncle along.

Flores is known for his aggressive and action-oriented style, thriving in high-volatility games like Big O. His deep understanding of Omaha variants allows him to exploit opponents in both live and online high-stakes cash games.