Misplaced Pages

Scotty Nguyen: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 11:47, 4 June 2010 editThe Ronin (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users2,145 editsNo edit summary← Previous edit Latest revision as of 22:48, 2 December 2024 edit undoRed Director (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users1,058,756 edits →Poker career: link 
(153 intermediate revisions by 80 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Vietnamese American poker player (born 1962)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox poker player {{Infobox poker player
|firstname=Scotty | name = Scotty Nguyen
⚫ | nickname = Prince of Poker
|lastname=Nguyen
⚫ | image = ScottyNguyen.jpg
⚫ |nickname=The Train<br>The Prince of Poker
⚫ | caption = Nguyen wins 50K HORSE ]
⚫ |image=ScottyNguyen.jpg
| residence =
⚫ |caption=Scotty Nguyen wins 50K HORSE ]
| birth_name = Thuận B. Nguyễn
|hometown
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|10|28}}
⚫ |wsop bracelet count=5
| birth_place = ], Vietnam
⚫ |wsop money finishes=37
⚫ | wsop bracelet count = 5
⚫ |wsop main event best finish rank=Winner
|wsop main event best finish year=1998 | wsop money finishes = 46
⚫ | wsop main event best finish rank = Winner
|multi-year wsop winner
| wsop main event best finish year = 1998
|wpt titles=1
|wpt final tables=8(+1) | wpt titles = 1
|wpt money finishes=17 | wpt final tables = 8
| wpt money finishes = 21
|ept titles=''None''
|ept final tables=0 | ept titles = ''None''
|ept money finishes=1 | ept final tables = 0
⚫ | ept money finishes = 1
|last updated=2010-03-14 | updated = 2010-03-14
}}
|Children=Jade Nguyen
Courtney Nguyen
Anthony Nguyen
Tiffany Nguyen
Kody Nguyen}}


'''Thuận B. "Scotty" Nguyễn''' (born October 28, 1962 in ], ]) is a ] professional ] player who is a five time ] (WSOP) ] winner, most notably as the winner of the ] Main Event<ref></ref> and the ] $50,000 ] World Championship. This win also made him the first and currently only player to win both the WSOP Main Event and $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. events. He also stated that the only type of World Series of Poker event he has yet to win is 2-7 lowball. Nguyen is one of the most active players in professional poker today, and from 2000 to 2004 he finished ] in more than 100 events. '''Thuận B. "Scotty" Nguyễn''' (born October 28, 1962) is a Vietnamese-American professional ] player who is a five-time ] (WSOP) ] winner, most notably as the winner of the ] Main Event<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haney |first=Jeff |date=July 2, 2008 |title=Jeff Haney on the 'prince of poker,' Scotty Nguyen, who finished first in the game's ultimate test of skill and who stops at nothing to accommodate fans |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/jul/02/jeff-haney-prince-poker-scotty-nguyen-who-finished/ |access-date=April 20, 2024 |website=Las Vegas Sun |language=en}}</ref> and the ] $50,000 ] World Championship. He is the first and only player to win both the WSOP Main Event and $50,000 Players' Championship.


==Early life== ==Early life==


Scotty Nguyen was born in Vietnam and came to America at the age of fourteen. He was expelled from school for spending too much time in underground poker games. Nguyen attended dealer school at the age of 21 and was employed at ] poker room. There he made about $150 a night and lost most of it playing $3–$6 stud. He described himself as a "fish" but wanted to gamble regardless. Scotty Nguyen was born in ], ]. Due to the conflict in Vietnam, his mother sent him out of the country, first to ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scotty Nguyen |url=http://www.pokerlistings.com/poker-player_scotty-nguyen |access-date=April 8, 2015 |website=PokerListings}}</ref> He came to the United States at the age of 14 after finding a sponsor in ]. He was expelled from school for spending too much time in underground poker games. Nguyen attended dealer school at the age of 21 and was employed at ] poker room.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wise |first=Gary |author-link=Gary Wise |date=July 14, 2007 |title=Champions: Scotty Nguyen |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/poker/columns/story?columnist=wise_gary&id=2936840 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> While with Harrah's, he made about $150 a night and lost most of it playing $3–$6 stud. He described himself as a "fish" but wanted to gamble regardless.


His luck changed in 1985 when he was invited to Lake Tahoe to deal in a no-limit Hold’em tournament. He dealt all day and played cash games all night with the meager bankroll he brought with him. He built his bankroll to $7,000 and felt he was invincible. He returned to ] and gambled his bankroll up to $1,000,000. His name spread around Vegas and before he knew it he was playing poker with ], ], and ]. He purchased a ] for $17,000, a ] for $21,000 and a condominium for $60,000 all in cash. He lived in ] and was winning $50,000 to $100,000 a night. His luck improved in 1985 when he was invited to Lake Tahoe to deal in a no-limit Hold’em tournament. He dealt all day and played cash games all night with the meager bankroll he brought with him. He built his bankroll to $7,000 and felt he was invincible. He returned to ] and gambled his bankroll up to $1 million. His name spread around Vegas and soon he began playing poker with ], ], and ]. He purchased a ] for $17,000, a ] for $21,000, and a condominium for $60,000 all in cash. He lived in ] and was winning $50,000 to $900,000 a night.


Bad habits plagued Nguyen as recreational use of ], ], and ] developed into full-scale addictions. After a bad losing streak he ended up going broke. Nguyen was sympathetically spared a room and $5,000 in cash.<ref name=SNPSPL>{{cite web|author=|title=Scotty Nguyen poker star King of Bling|url=http://www.totalgambler.com/theplayers/playerinterviews/1609/scotty_nguyen_poker_star.html|publisher=Dennis Publishing Limited}}</ref> Bad habits plagued Nguyen; recreational use of ], ], and ] developed into full-scale addictions. After a costly losing streak, he ended up going broke. Nguyen was spared a room and $5,000 in cash.<ref name="SNPSPL">{{Cite web |title=Scotty Nguyen poker star King of Bling |url=http://www.pokerplayer.co.uk/poker-players/player-interviews/1609/scotty_nguyen_poker_star.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302013525/http://www.pokerplayer.co.uk/poker-players/player-interviews/1609/scotty_nguyen_poker_star.html |archive-date=March 2, 2012 |publisher=]}}</ref>


==Poker career== ==Poker career==
Nguyen had to rebuild his bankroll after losing his million. His next success came at the ] where he won the $2,000 Omaha 8 or Better netting a profit of over $150,000. Unfortunately Nguyen blew this bankroll again and was completely broke shortly before the ]. Nguyen had to play in a small satellite tournament which he did not even have enough money to buy into. ] saw potential in Nguyen and decided to bankroll 1/3 of the buy in. Nguyen had to rebuild his bankroll after losing his million. His next success came at the ] where he won the $2,000 Omaha 8 or Better event, netting a profit of over $150,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=28th World Series of Poker – WSOP 1997, Omaha 8 or Better |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=7806 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}}</ref> Unfortunately, Nguyen blew this bankroll again and was completely broke shortly before the ]. Nguyen had to play in a small satellite tournament which he did not even have enough money to buy into. ] saw potential in Nguyen and decided to bankroll 1/3 of the buy-in. He went on to win the 1998 World Series of Poker and split 1/3 of the winnings ($333,333) with Matusow.<ref>{{Cite web |title=29th World Series of Poker – WSOP 1998, No Limit Hold'em World Championship |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=7798 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Seaton |first=Paul |date=January 15, 2019 |title=What if... Scotty Nguyen Didn't Win in 1998? |url=https://www.pgt.com/news/what-if-scotty-nguyen-didnt-win-in-1998 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=PokerGO Tour |language=en}}</ref>


Nguyen is noted for playing with lots of ]. He went on to win the 1998 World Series of Poker and split 1/3 of the winnings ($333,333) with Mike Matusow. On the final hand of the 1998 World Series of Poker's Main Event, a ] was dealt on the table ({{cards|8c|9d|9h|8h|8s}}). Nguyen made the memorable quote to his opponent ]: "You call, it's gonna be all over baby!" McBride called, saying "I call. I play the board." Nguyen beat McBride with a better full house by holding {{cards|9c|Jd}}. Nguyen's Main Event triumph in 1998 was followed immediately by tragedy—the very next day, one of his brothers was hit by a car back home in Vietnam, and killed.<ref></ref> For this reason, Scotty does not wear his 1998 WSOP championship bracelet. Nguyen is noted for playing emotionally. On the final hand of the 1998 World Series of Poker's Main Event, a ] was dealt on the table ({{cards|8c|9d|9h|8h|8s}}). Nguyen memorably said to his opponent Kevin McBride: "You call, it's gonna be all over baby!" Previously in the game, with McBride all-in, Nguyen had quipped "It's gonna be all over if I read you right" before calling. However Nguyen's read hadn't been correct and McBride had won the pot, bringing him back in the game.


This time, McBride called and went all-in, saying "I call. I play the board." Nguyen beat McBride with a better full house by holding {{cards|9c|Jd}}. In the post-game interview McBride admitted that he would not have called if not for Nguyen's quip. Main Event triumph in 1998 was followed immediately by tragedy—the very next day, one of his brothers was hit by a car back home in Vietnam, and killed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 27, 2013 |title=BLUFF: Give Scotty the nod |url=https://www.espn.com/poker/story/_/id/9730589/poker-hall-fame-scotty-nguyen |access-date=April 20, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> For this reason, Scotty does not wear his 1998 WSOP championship bracelet. In the 2001 WSOP, he won two bracelets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=32nd World Series of Poker – WSOP 2001, Omaha (pot limit) |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=3049 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=32nd World Series of Poker – WSOP 2001, Omaha Hi-Lo Split Eight or Better |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=3058 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}}</ref>
⚫ After making several ] final tables, Nguyen eventually won a WPT event in January 2006, defeating ] ] in the ] Gold Strike World Poker Open when his {{cards|A♠|Q♠}} made a ] against Mizrachi's {{cards|A♣|J♦}} on the very first hand of heads-up round. With this WPT victory, Scotty became one of only 5 people to win both the main event of the World Series of Poker and a World Poker Tour title. Nguyen earned a second place finish at the ] in the ] event won by ]. Scotty stated after the event that he hadn't played cash games in over two years because he enjoys a friendly environment which is difficult in serious cash games.<ref></ref> Scotty also nearly made the final table of the 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event, finishing in 11th place out of a field of 6,358 and earning $476,926.


⚫ After making several ] (WPT) final tables,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Five Diamond World Poker Classic, No Limit Hold'em – Final |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=5041 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 – PartyPoker.com Million III Limit Hold'em, Limit Hold'em Championship Final Day |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=7400 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 Mirage Poker Showdown, No Limit Hold'em Final Day |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=7397 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sixth Annual Jack Binion World Poker Open, World Poker Open Championship Event – No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=6980 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}}</ref> Nguyen eventually won a WPT event in January 2006, defeating ] ] in the ] Gold Strike ] when his {{cards|A♠|Q♠}} made a ] against Mizrachi's {{cards|A♣|J♦}} on the very first hand of heads-up round.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2006 Gold Strike World Poker Open, Championship Event – No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=16568 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}}</ref> With this WPT victory, Scotty became one of only 6 people to win both the main event of the World Series of Poker and a World Poker Tour title. Nguyen earned a second-place finish at the ] in the ] event won by ]. Scotty stated after the event that he hadn't played cash games in over two years because he enjoys a friendly environment which is difficult in serious cash games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=pokernewsdotcom |date=June 17, 2007 |title=Scotty Nguyen – No More Cash Games |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVU98Fc5muQ |via=YouTube}}</ref> Scotty also nearly made the final table of the 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event, finishing in 11th place out of a field of 6,358 and earning $476,926.<ref>{{Cite web |title=38th World Series of Poker – WSOP 2007, World Championship No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=26201 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}}</ref>
⚫ At the 2008 $50,000 World Series of Poker H.O.R.S.E. event, Nguyen exhibited what many have considered objectionable, and even rule-breaking behavior.<ref>{{cite news | first=Bob | last=Pajich | coauthors= | title=No Call on Scotty Nguyen Magnifies Flaw in WSOP Rules | date=2008-08-21 | publisher=Cardplayer.com | url =http://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/article/4889/no-call-on-scotty-nguyen-magnifies-flaw-in-wsop-rules | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-11-23 | language = }}</ref> In the broadcast of the prestigious event, Nguyen was shown drinking numerous alcoholic beverages while swearing and scolding others at the final table, drawing criticism from commentators. Following the event, Nguyen issued an apology to his fans and stated that the event's editing depicted him unfairly. He also cited issues like exhaustion, frustration with the perceived gloating of ], and pressure to succeed as reasons for his unconventional behavior.<ref></ref> Nguyen later formally apologized to the fans in an interview, and said that he no longer blamed any other players for his behavior, and that there was no excuse for his behavior at the 2008 H.O.R.S.E. event.


⚫ At the 2008 $50,000 World Series of Poker ] event, Nguyen, the eventual winner,<ref>{{Cite web |title=39th World Series of Poker – WSOP 2008, H.O.R.S.E. |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=29714 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}}</ref> exhibited what many have considered objectionable, and even rule-breaking behavior, including a ] in a hand with ].<ref name="pajich">{{Cite web |last=Pajich |first=Bob |date=August 21, 2008 |title=No Call on Scotty Nguyen Magnifies Flaw in WSOP Rules |url=http://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/article/4889/no-call-on-scotty-nguyen-magnifies-flaw-in-wsop-rules |access-date=November 23, 2008 |publisher=Cardplayer.com}}</ref> In the broadcast of the prestigious event, Nguyen was shown drinking numerous alcoholic beverages while swearing and scolding others (including waiters/waitresses) at the final table, drawing criticism from commentators. Following the event (which Nguyen won), Nguyen issued an apology to his fans and stated that the event's editing depicted him unfairly. He also cited issues like exhaustion, frustration with the perceived gloating of ], and pressure to succeed as reasons for his unconventional behavior.<ref name="pajich" /> Nguyen later formally apologized to the fans in an interview, and said that he no longer blamed any other players for his behavior, and that there was no excuse for his behavior at the 2008 H.O.R.S.E. event. Since the incident, Nguyen has refused to drink alcoholic beverages during televised games.
⚫ In 2009, Nguyen won the inaugural LA Poker Classic $10,000 H.O.R.S.E World Championship at the Commerce Casino's annual LA Poker Classic Series. This 1st place finish earned him $339,743, and further cemented Nguyen's reputation as one of the greatest masters of all variations of fixed limit poker.


⚫ In 2009, Nguyen won the inaugural LA Poker Classic $10,000 H.O.R.S.E World Championship at the Commerce Casino's annual LA Poker Classic Series, which earned him $260,485, and further cemented Nguyen's reputation as one of the greatest masters of all variations of fixed limit poker.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2009 L.A. Poker Classic, H.O.R.S.E. – Championship |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=33796 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=The Hendon Mob |language=en}}</ref>
⚫ As of 2010, his total live tournament winnings exceed $11,250,000.<ref></ref> Of those winnings, $4,727,717 have come at the WSOP.<ref>, www.worldseriesofpoker.com</ref> Nguyen has also made appearances on the ] playing ]. Nguyen also made an appearance on '']'' in April 2004.<ref></ref>

⚫ As of 2023, his total live tournament winnings exceed $12,700,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scotty Nguyen's profile on The Hendon Mob |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=185 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en}}</ref> Of those winnings, $5,100,999 have come at the WSOP.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scotty Nguyen |url=https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=266 |access-date=March 24, 2024 |website=WSOP.com}}</ref> Nguyen has also made appearances on the ] playing ]. Nguyen also made an appearance on '']'' in April 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-04-01 |title=Al Franken/Vivica A. Fox/Scotty Nguyen |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0627524/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=IMDb}}</ref>

In January 2012, Nguyen was named as team captain of the Expekt Poker pro team for EPT Deauville. The team also included Julian Kabitzke and Jack Salter as well as EPT London 3rd-place finisher Andre Klebanov.

In 2013, Nguyen was voted into the ] along with fellow WSOP Main Event winner, Tom McEvoy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Matt |date=October 24, 2013 |title=Scotty Nguyen and Tom McEvoy Inducted into Poker Hall of Fame |url=https://www.worldpokertour.com/news/scotty-nguyen-tom-mcevoy-inducted-poker-hall-fame/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=World Poker Tour |language=en-US}}</ref>


===World Series of Poker bracelets=== ===World Series of Poker bracelets===
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|- |-
|+Bracelets summary
|- |-
!Year ! Year
!Tournament ! Tournament
!Prize (US$) ! Prize (US$)
|- |-
|] | ]
|$2,000 Omaha 8 or Better | $2,000 Omaha 8 or Better
|$156,959 | $156,959
|- |-
|] | ]
|$10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship | $10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship
|$1,000,000 | $1,000,000
|- |-
|] | ]
|$2,500 Pot Limit Omaha | $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha
|$178,480 | $178,480
|- |-
|2001 | 2001
|$5,000 Omaha Hi-Lo Split Eight or Better | $5,000 Omaha Hi-Lo Split Eight or Better
|$287,580 | $287,580
|- |-
|] | ]
|$50,000 ] World Championship | $50,000 ] World Championship
|$1,989,120 | $1,989,120
|-
! colspan=2|Total
|$3,609,139
|} |}


==Notes== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
*
<!--===========================({{NoMoreLinks}})===============================-->
*
<!--| DO NOT ADD MORE LINKS TO THIS ARTICLE. WIKIPEDIA IS NOT A COLLECTION OF |-->
*
<!--| LINKS. If you think that your link might be useful, do not add it here, |-->
*
<!--| but put it on this article's discussion page first or submit your link |-->
*
<!--| to the appropriate category at the Open Directory Project (www.dmoz.org)|-->
*
<!--| and link back to that category using the {{dmoz}} template. |-->
<!--| |-->
<!--| Links that have not been verified WILL BE DELETED. |-->
<!--| See ] and ] for details |-->
<!--===========================({{NoMoreLinks}})===============================-->
*


{{World Series of Poker $50,000 Players' Championship Winners}} {{World Series of Poker $50,000 Players' Championship Winners}}
{{WSOP Main Event champions}}
{{World Series of Poker Winners}} {{1990s WSOP Bracelet Winners}}
{{2000s WSOP Bracelet Winners}}
{{Poker Hall of Fame}}

{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Nguyen, Scotty}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Nguyen, Scotty}}
] ]
] ]
⚫ ]
⚫ ]
⚫ ]
⚫ ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]

⚫ ]
]
⚫ ]
]
]
]
]
]
⚫ ]
]
⚫ ]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 22:48, 2 December 2024

Vietnamese American poker player (born 1962)

Scotty Nguyen
Nguyen wins 50K HORSE 2008 World Series of Poker
Nickname(s)Prince of Poker
BornThuận B. Nguyễn
(1962-10-28) October 28, 1962 (age 62)
Nha Trang, Vietnam
World Series of Poker
Bracelet(s)5
Money finish(es)46
Highest ITM
Main Event finish		Winner, 1998
World Poker Tour
Title(s)1
Final table(s)8
Money finish(es)21
European Poker Tour
Title(s)None
Final table(s)None
Money finish(es)1
Information last updated on 14 March 2010.

Thuận B. "Scotty" Nguyễn (born October 28, 1962) is a Vietnamese-American professional poker player who is a five-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner, most notably as the winner of the 1998 World Series of Poker Main Event and the 2008 World Series of Poker $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. World Championship. He is the first and only player to win both the WSOP Main Event and $50,000 Players' Championship.

Early life

Scotty Nguyen was born in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Due to the conflict in Vietnam, his mother sent him out of the country, first to Taiwan. He came to the United States at the age of 14 after finding a sponsor in Orange County, California. He was expelled from school for spending too much time in underground poker games. Nguyen attended dealer school at the age of 21 and was employed at Harrah’s poker room. While with Harrah's, he made about $150 a night and lost most of it playing $3–$6 stud. He described himself as a "fish" but wanted to gamble regardless.

His luck improved in 1985 when he was invited to Lake Tahoe to deal in a no-limit Hold’em tournament. He dealt all day and played cash games all night with the meager bankroll he brought with him. He built his bankroll to $7,000 and felt he was invincible. He returned to Las Vegas and gambled his bankroll up to $1 million. His name spread around Vegas and soon he began playing poker with Johnny Chan, Puggy Pearson, and David Grey. He purchased a Chevrolet Camaro for $17,000, a Corvette for $21,000, and a condominium for $60,000 all in cash. He lived in Caesars Palace and was winning $50,000 to $900,000 a night.

Bad habits plagued Nguyen; recreational use of marijuana, cocaine, and alcohol developed into full-scale addictions. After a costly losing streak, he ended up going broke. Nguyen was spared a room and $5,000 in cash.

Poker career

Nguyen had to rebuild his bankroll after losing his million. His next success came at the 1997 World Series of Poker where he won the $2,000 Omaha 8 or Better event, netting a profit of over $150,000. Unfortunately, Nguyen blew this bankroll again and was completely broke shortly before the 1998 World Series of Poker. Nguyen had to play in a small satellite tournament which he did not even have enough money to buy into. Mike Matusow saw potential in Nguyen and decided to bankroll 1/3 of the buy-in. He went on to win the 1998 World Series of Poker and split 1/3 of the winnings ($333,333) with Matusow.

Nguyen is noted for playing emotionally. On the final hand of the 1998 World Series of Poker's Main Event, a full house was dealt on the table (8♣ 9♦ 9♥ 8♥ 8♠). Nguyen memorably said to his opponent Kevin McBride: "You call, it's gonna be all over baby!" Previously in the game, with McBride all-in, Nguyen had quipped "It's gonna be all over if I read you right" before calling. However Nguyen's read hadn't been correct and McBride had won the pot, bringing him back in the game.

This time, McBride called and went all-in, saying "I call. I play the board." Nguyen beat McBride with a better full house by holding 9♣ J♦. In the post-game interview McBride admitted that he would not have called if not for Nguyen's quip. Main Event triumph in 1998 was followed immediately by tragedy—the very next day, one of his brothers was hit by a car back home in Vietnam, and killed. For this reason, Scotty does not wear his 1998 WSOP championship bracelet. In the 2001 WSOP, he won two bracelets.

After making several World Poker Tour (WPT) final tables, Nguyen eventually won a WPT event in January 2006, defeating Michael Mizrachi heads-up in the fourth season Gold Strike World Poker Open when his A♠ Q♠ made a flush against Mizrachi's A♣ J♦ on the very first hand of heads-up round. With this WPT victory, Scotty became one of only 6 people to win both the main event of the World Series of Poker and a World Poker Tour title. Nguyen earned a second-place finish at the 2007 World Series of Poker in the seven card stud high low split eight or better event won by Eli Elezra. Scotty stated after the event that he hadn't played cash games in over two years because he enjoys a friendly environment which is difficult in serious cash games. Scotty also nearly made the final table of the 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event, finishing in 11th place out of a field of 6,358 and earning $476,926.

At the 2008 $50,000 World Series of Poker H.O.R.S.E. event, Nguyen, the eventual winner, exhibited what many have considered objectionable, and even rule-breaking behavior, including a soft-play in a hand with Erick Lindgren. In the broadcast of the prestigious event, Nguyen was shown drinking numerous alcoholic beverages while swearing and scolding others (including waiters/waitresses) at the final table, drawing criticism from commentators. Following the event (which Nguyen won), Nguyen issued an apology to his fans and stated that the event's editing depicted him unfairly. He also cited issues like exhaustion, frustration with the perceived gloating of Michael DeMichele, and pressure to succeed as reasons for his unconventional behavior. Nguyen later formally apologized to the fans in an interview, and said that he no longer blamed any other players for his behavior, and that there was no excuse for his behavior at the 2008 H.O.R.S.E. event. Since the incident, Nguyen has refused to drink alcoholic beverages during televised games.

In 2009, Nguyen won the inaugural LA Poker Classic $10,000 H.O.R.S.E World Championship at the Commerce Casino's annual LA Poker Classic Series, which earned him $260,485, and further cemented Nguyen's reputation as one of the greatest masters of all variations of fixed limit poker.

As of 2023, his total live tournament winnings exceed $12,700,000. Of those winnings, $5,100,999 have come at the WSOP. Nguyen has also made appearances on the Ultimate Blackjack Tour playing Elimination Blackjack. Nguyen also made an appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien in April 2004.

In January 2012, Nguyen was named as team captain of the Expekt Poker pro team for EPT Deauville. The team also included Julian Kabitzke and Jack Salter as well as EPT London 3rd-place finisher Andre Klebanov.

In 2013, Nguyen was voted into the Poker Hall of Fame along with fellow WSOP Main Event winner, Tom McEvoy.

World Series of Poker bracelets

Year Tournament Prize (US$)
1997 $2,000 Omaha 8 or Better $156,959
1998 $10,000 No Limit Hold'em World Championship $1,000,000
2001 $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha $178,480
2001 $5,000 Omaha Hi-Lo Split Eight or Better $287,580
2008 $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. World Championship $1,989,120

References

  1. Haney, Jeff (July 2, 2008). "Jeff Haney on the 'prince of poker,' Scotty Nguyen, who finished first in the game's ultimate test of skill and who stops at nothing to accommodate fans". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  2. "Scotty Nguyen". PokerListings. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  3. Wise, Gary (July 14, 2007). "Champions: Scotty Nguyen". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  4. "Scotty Nguyen poker star King of Bling". Dennis Publishing Limited. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012.
  5. "28th World Series of Poker – WSOP 1997, Omaha 8 or Better". The Hendon Mob. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  6. "29th World Series of Poker – WSOP 1998, No Limit Hold'em World Championship". The Hendon Mob. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  7. Seaton, Paul (January 15, 2019). "What if... Scotty Nguyen Didn't Win in 1998?". PokerGO Tour. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  8. "BLUFF: Give Scotty the nod". ESPN.com. September 27, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  9. "32nd World Series of Poker – WSOP 2001, Omaha (pot limit)". The Hendon Mob. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  10. "32nd World Series of Poker – WSOP 2001, Omaha Hi-Lo Split Eight or Better". The Hendon Mob. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  11. "Five Diamond World Poker Classic, No Limit Hold'em – Final". The Hendon Mob. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  12. "2004 – PartyPoker.com Million III Limit Hold'em, Limit Hold'em Championship Final Day". The Hendon Mob. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  13. "2004 Mirage Poker Showdown, No Limit Hold'em Final Day". The Hendon Mob. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  14. "The Sixth Annual Jack Binion World Poker Open, World Poker Open Championship Event – No Limit Hold'em". The Hendon Mob. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  15. "2006 Gold Strike World Poker Open, Championship Event – No Limit Hold'em". The Hendon Mob. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  16. pokernewsdotcom (June 17, 2007). "Scotty Nguyen – No More Cash Games" – via YouTube.
  17. "38th World Series of Poker – WSOP 2007, World Championship No Limit Hold'em". The Hendon Mob. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  18. "39th World Series of Poker – WSOP 2008, H.O.R.S.E." The Hendon Mob. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  19. ^ Pajich, Bob (August 21, 2008). "No Call on Scotty Nguyen Magnifies Flaw in WSOP Rules". Cardplayer.com. Retrieved November 23, 2008.
  20. "2009 L.A. Poker Classic, H.O.R.S.E. – Championship". The Hendon Mob. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  21. "Scotty Nguyen's profile on The Hendon Mob". The Hendon Mob Poker Database. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  22. "Scotty Nguyen". WSOP.com. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  23. "Al Franken/Vivica A. Fox/Scotty Nguyen". IMDb. April 1, 2004. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  24. Clark, Matt (October 24, 2013). "Scotty Nguyen and Tom McEvoy Inducted into Poker Hall of Fame". World Poker Tour. Retrieved November 25, 2023.

External links

Winners of the World Series of Poker $50,000 The Poker Players Championship
World Series of Poker – Main Event champions
1990s WSOP bracelet winners
Note
number in brackets represents the number of bracelets earned in that year
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000s WSOP bracelet winners
Note
number in brackets represents the number of bracelets earned in that year
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007/
2007 E
2008/
2008 E
2009/
2009 E
Poker Hall of Fame
1979
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
Categories: