Mark pur senza essere mai stato alla ribalta internazionale è uno dei più forti giocatori americani delle ultime decadi.

 Vive in Amarillo un paesino vicino a Canyon nel Texas ed è un Gran Life Master con oltre 52.000 conquistati vincendo una ventina di titoli nazionali ed un migliaio di titoli regionali.

 Tra i suoi successi più importanti ricordiamo la Reisinger nel 1988 e 1992, la Vanderbilt nel 1979, 1997, 1998, il Mitchell nel 1986, 1988, 1993, la Spingold nel 1986, 1989 ed il Jacoby nel 1991 e nel 2000.

 Nel 2009 la ACBL gli ha concesso l'onore di far parte della Hall of Fame.

  Mark Lair took the podium in Las Vegas at the Hall of Fame dinner in 2008, but it was not to be inducted. He was offering comments and congratulations to his former partner, Mike Passell on his induction.

In 2009 Mike Passel returned the favor and inducted Lair into the Hall of Fame. Passell said the two first met at a rubber bridge club in Oklahoma City in the early Seventies. “Mark was the best natural card player I had ever met. Mark expects a lot from his partners and a lot more from himself.” Passell said Lair is a great player, “but he’s even better as a human being.”

A devoted family man, Lair lives in Canyon TX, a suburb of Amarillo. When speaking of his twin sons Michael and Matt, Lair said, “The immense joy they have given our family cannot be overstated.” As for his wife, Lair said, “Sally is the love of my life and my very best friend.”

Hall of Famer Betty Ann Kennedy was among those who offered praise for Lair during the Goodwill meeting at the Spring NABC in Houston. “He is the epitome of the Southern gentleman,” said Kennedy, “and he is a born-again Christian who lives his faith. And he is one of the world’s great players.”

Lair’s accomplishments are many. With over 54,000 masterpoints, he stands No. 5 on the all-time list of masterpoint winners. He has won 21 North American championships, more than 1000 regional's, and has competed internationally on many occasions. He won the Fishbein Trophy in 1986 and the Barry Crane Top 500 in 1990.